Welcome to Higher Things!

Higher Things Internet Services is pleased to announce that the 2010 Lenten Reflections are now available. These Reflections, written by Pastor George Borghardt, focus us on having a "Happy Lent" because of the suffering and death of Jesus which saves us from our sins and His forgiveness bestowed upon us by the Word and Sacraments.

To download the Lenten Reflections in a printable booklet format, click here.

As always, thanks for your support of Higher Things!

The Lord's richest blessings to you and a Happy Lent!

Greetings!

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Things are really heating up! We are entering our final month of registration for the Given Conference. Registration for our Tennessee Conference is almost two-thirds full!

A few weeks ago, we became concerned that we would be unable to serve the number of youth that the Lord was giving us for this conference.. Not wanting to turn anyone away from the conference, our staff began to seek out other alternatives.

Changing a venue in the middle of a conference season is a pretty serious matter. We didn't take it lightly. Groups that were registered were contacted preparing them for a possible venue change. We didn't want to inconvenience any group. We wanted to make sure everyone was informed. Most importantly, we didn't want to leave anyone out of the opportunity to be given to by the Lord at a Higher Things Conference.

Higher Things is very excited to announce that our Tennessee Conference venue has changed! Our Tennessee Conference will be at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The dates remain the same (July 6-9, 2010). The state does too! And the Gospel - it'll be in the ears of even more kids!

Registration is now! It's still open for both conferences. While Tennessee is almost full, there is plenty of room in Utah! For more conference information, please check out the website. For questions, please email us at conferences@higherthings.org.

We can't wait to be given to by the Lord in Nashville! We'll see you there!

In Christ,
Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Conference Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

Given Conference registration is in its final month and our Tennessee Conference is almost two-thirds full! There is still time to register your group!

Once again, we see a horrible disaster, the earthquake in Haiti. Such disasters often cause many to question the Lord's goodness and working in this world. To help youth understand where the Lord is in such times, Higher Things is pleased to offer an article written by The Rev. Bruce Keseman entitled, "Where was God?" as well as a bible study for our HT Online subscribers dealing with the topic. The bible study, entitled "What is God Doing in Haiti?" is available to our HT Online subscribers here.  If you are not yet an HT-Online subscriber you can sign up here and gain access to lots of great content.

Pastor Mark Buetow
HT Internet Services

Concordia Theological Seminary Commons
January 19, 2010 @ 7:00pm

For the past 10 years, Higher Things has provided youth ministry resources to confessional Lutheran pastors, parents, and congregations. To kick off the celebration of our 10th anniversary year in 2010 we invite you join us during Symposia for good food, good beer and and good conversation.

RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=233081208610&ref=mf

The next set of Daily Reflections for the Epiphany and Pre-Lent seasons is now available. These Reflections point us to Christ as He shows Himself in His Baptism, miracles and transfiguration and as He prepares to journey to Jerusalem and the Cross. The Reflections cover January 10 through February 16, 2010. To download the Reflections in a printable booklet format, click here.

Register for a 2010 Higher Things conference AND pay your group's balance IN FULL by January 1 and you will pay the lowest registration fees available! On January 2, all registration fees will increase by $10 per person. (Registration and payment of deposits prior to January 1 does NOT "lock in" your group's fee at the lowest rate, but it does guarantee that your group will have places reserved should the conference of your choice reach max capacity.) 

Just in case this is the first you've heard of this year's Higher Things conferences, here's the scoop... 

The Theme 
“Take, eat; this is My Body given for you. This is My Blood, poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Sound familiar? 

Jesus does the giving, we are the ones given-to. Jesus gives His life for us on the Cross and we are given His Cross-won forgiveness in the Divine Service - in the Word, in Holy Absolution, in Holy Baptism, and His Supper. As Jesus gives us His life and salvation in the Divine Service, so we are given to pray in His Name, to praise and to give thanks unto our Father in heaven. And just as we are given the gift of Jesus in the Divine Service, so also He gives us as a gift to our neighbors. 

This year, in Utah and in Tennessee, Lutheran youth will gather to rejoice in all that we are GIVEN in the Divine Service where Jesus gives us His actual Body to eat and His Blood to drink! His Word and Sacraments enliven us to be given in service to our neighbors. And it’s all given to us in the Divine Service - the Cross, forgiveness, eternal life, salvation, and service to others! 

Registration 
Registration opened on October 1, 2009 and will close on February 28, 2010, or when a site reaches capacity - whichever happens first. We work very diligently to keep costs as low as possible while providing the best conferences we can - every year! Here’s how it works out this year: 

Register between Oct. 1, 2009 and Jan 1., 2010
Given - Utah: $300 
Given - Memphis: $325 

Jan. 2, 2010 to Feb. 28, 2010
Given - Utah: $310 
Given - Memphis: $335 

After Mar. 1, 2010 
Given - Utah: $325 
Given - Memphis: $350 

The per-person rates above are based on the date your group’s registration balance is PAID IN FULL. Additional fees may apply for registrations and changes made after March 1, 2010. 

Your Registration Fee covers: 
- Conference Programming 
- Planning 
- Catechesis 
- Worship 
- Entertainment 
- Three (3) Nights of Housing 
- Ten (10) Meals 
- Conference Handbook 
- Daily Services Book 
- Conference T-Shirt 
- One-year subscription to Higher Things: Dare to be Lutheran magazine 

Are there age requirements for youth? 
Not really. Higher Things conferences are generally planned for high school aged youth, but registrants may be any youth who has been confirmed before the date of the conference, including college students. We recognize that the age for confirmation may vary from congregation to congregation and just ask that if a group is bringing youth who are not yet in high school that the group leaders be prepared to provide any additional supervision accordingly. 

Chaperones 
Higher Things requires that each group must have at least one (1) male adult for every seven (7) male youth and/or at least one (1) female adult for every seven (7) female youth in your group. Chaperones must be at least 21 years old at the time of registration and approved by the group’s pastor for their role. All chaperones and other adults in a group must also complete the registration process. 

If you are unable to recruit the necessary number of chaperones from your church for your youth to attend a conference, Higher Things is happy to help you find other groups from your area who might be willing to share their chaperones with you. 

For more information, email conferences@higherthings.org to make sure you haven’t missed anything, or to ask any questions you might have. Everything that is available about the conferences at any GIVEN time is at http://www.given2010.org. 

Need a Christmas gift for that hard-to-buy-for teenager or college student? We have the perfect gift! Give a subscription to the Higher Things Magazine, the only Lutheran Youth magazine that keeps kids connected to their faith and their world in a fun and informative way!

Higher Things was recently granted Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. As an RSO, Higher Things is officially recognized as an organization whose mission, ministry and programs are consistent with the confessional standards of the LCMS and in harmony with the programs of the Synod while retaining its independence and self-governance.

Higher Things Magazine is published quarterly at $15 for one year, $25 for two years. An online subscription is also available for $25 a year. Along with the current issue, the online subscription provides access to past issues and bible studies.

The Winter 2009 is now available! Click here to order a subscription online or order by phone by calling 1-888-448-2359.

Higher Things is pleased to announce that it has been granted Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. As an RSO, Higher Things is officially recognized as an organization whose mission, ministry and programs are consistent with the confessional standards of the LCMS and in harmony with the programs of the Synod while retaining its independence and self-governance. We believe that RSO status will enhance Higher Things' ability to serve the youth of our Synod with the fullness of our liturgical and confessional heritage.

We would like to thank the Synod's Board for District and Congregational Services and its chairman David Bruns for their hard work and support. We are also greatly appreciative to Rev. Herbert C. Mueller for his sponsorship and support.

We look forward to yet greater opportunities to assist parents, congregations and pastors in cultivating and promoting a Lutheran identity among youth through conferences, retreats, publications and the internet. Dare to be Lutheran!

by The Rev. Bruce Keseman

If God is as great as the Bible says He is, then why didn’t He stop that earthquake in Haiti? Why didn’t He step in to prevent the destruction? Weren’t the poverty-stricken people on that island suffering enough already? Did God take a vacation on the day the earthquake struck Haiti? And the day Katrina hit the Gulf Coast? And the day the tsunami overwhelmed southeast Asia? No. God never takes a vacation. Which means He isn’t vacationing when tragedies strike your life, either. So where was God when the earthquake destroyed Haiti?

God was on His throne

God was at the same place He was on Good Friday when His Son was suffering for you and for the people of Haiti. God was at the same place He is right now. God was and God is reigning on His throne, ruling all things for good.

Satan points to Haiti and says to you, “See, God isn’t good. A good God wouldn’t allow something so horrible.” Don’t believe His lie. Believe the truth. The truth is that we sin. The wages of sin is death. So if God gave us what we deserve, we would all suffer much worse than a devastating earthquake. We would be dead. We would be in hell.

Since we deserve to suffer, how come we aren’t experiencing the kind of devastation that the Haitians are suffering? Because God is merciful. God does not give us what we deserve. He gives His Son what we deserve. At the hands of Pontius Pilate and Roman soldiers. I don’t know why He allowed an earthquake to destroy Haiti instead of striking the New Madrid fault near where I live. I don’t know why their lives were wrecked, and I was spared. Despite his claims, Pat Robertson does not know either. But God knows. And that is what matters.

Our Lord has a plan. It is a plan that includes your salvation, my salvation, and the salvation of a whole lot of people in Haiti. God is carrying out His plan. God is using this tragedy for good. Romans 8: “All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.”

I can already see a few ways that God is using the earthquake for our good. We Americans tend to be self-obsessed individualists. But for the past two weeks, we have reached out to help in ways that are absolutely amazing. Our priorities have been rearranged. We’ve contributed vast amounts of money to charities, and we’ve helped fill airplanes and ships with supplies and rescue workers. Even so, I can’t see how God is going to bring more good than evil out of this earthquake. Then again, if I had been standing at the foot of Christ’s cross 2000 years ago, I would have been sure that God could not possibly accomplish anything good out of that execution. Yet God used that gruesome event to accomplish the greatest good in all of history–that cross was His power of salvation for you, for me, and for the people of Haiti. So when He allows an earthquake, do not doubt that God is using it to do His incredible mercy work.

Where was God when the earthquake devastated Haiti? On His throne working for good in ways we can’t possibly see.

God was here with His people

Where else was God when that earthquake hit? He wasn’t just on His throne above. He was also down here with His people. He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32). Since God cares enough to provide for our greatest need of all by giving up what is dearest of all to Him–His Son–there is absolutely no doubt that He’s going to take care of all our other needs as well–including getting Haiti through this tragedy and us through every tragedy in our lives.

We do not have a God who is unable to sympathize with our weakness. We have a God who came down out of heaven and lived a life filled with nothing but suffering on this earth—suffering even deeper than what the Haitians are enduring. We have a God who has been through the carnage of the cross. Jesus knows exactly the feelings of the people who are homeless, hungry, mourning, and even dying because of that earthquake. He knows exactly what you are going through when you face tragedy. He’s been through it Himself. That’s why He is able to help.

That’s why Christ’s baptized people respond with love in times of tragedy. Maybe you’ve contributed to the earthquake relief. Maybe you’ve been praying for the Haitians who are afflicted—and for all the relief workers, many of whom are putting themselves at risk to help. Jesus says, “As you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). You are baptized. You belong to God. You were redeemed at the holy cross. Unlike the blood that so often gets shed in tragedies, Jesus’ blood was shed for a good purpose, for our salvation. It is the blood that He serves us with His body at His holy altar. It is the blood that He serves with His body to our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Haiti. It is His promise to them and to us: “I will not leave you or forsake you” (Josh. 1:5).

Where was God when the earthquake hit? Right here with His people.

He was in heaven preparing a place

Where else was God when that earthquake hit? Not only was He on His throne working all things for good, not only was He here caring for us, but He was also in heaven preparing a place for us.

People ask, “Why didn’t God do something about all the destruction caused by that earthquake?” God did do something about it! He came down to earth as a human and dropped dead on the holy cross. He took into His body all the death and destruction that we should have experienced.

After 9/11, I remember reporters struggling to find words to describe all the rubble and ruin. One simply said, “This is hell.” No doubt the same has been said about Haiti. There has been so much heartache and so much hurt that it might in a few ways resemble hell. But as gruesome and painful as the tragedies of earth may be, they pale in comparison to the real hell.

God gives His help even to unbelievers in Haiti. But in hell, there is no God to help anyone. There is no God to end the suffering. Hell is what we all deserve. But hell is what none of us will suffer when we’re clinging to Jesus. Because He suffered hell for us. I don’t mean he suffered hell figuratively. I mean he suffered hell literally. He endured on the cross what we should have endured for all eternity—total abandonment. That’s why He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). He was totally abandoned by His Father, so that you and I and all the people of Haiti can be sure that, no matter how horrible the tragedy, we will never be abandoned by His Father. He suffered hell for us so that we can have heaven—where tragedy and suffering, earthquakes and floods and hurricanes and even death will never ever happen again.

Jesus says that earthquakes are one sign that the end of the world is near (Mark 13:8). This earth is falling apart. This planet is passing away. And I say, “Good riddance!” I can’t wait for this fallen world to be replaced by the new heaven and new earth that our Lord has promised. Then we won’t have to worry about earthquakes, terrorists, hurricanes, tsunamis, or any other tragedy. Have you heard some of the incredible confessions of faith Christians in Haiti have spoken? Those sisters and brothers in Christ remind us that we, too, can stare tragedy in the face--we can even stare death in the face--and say, “I’m not afraid of you. My Lord went to the cross for me, came out of His tomb alive for me, and even now is preparing a place in heaven for me. Even if I die, I live.”

Where was God when that earthquake hit? He was not on vacation. He has not abandoned His people. He is on His throne working all things for good; He is here, caring for His people; and He is in heaven, preparing a place for us because this messed up world is coming to an end. We do not need a God who is a meddler. We do not need a God who steps in to stop every tragedy. We need a God with nail-scarred hands, we need a God whose death guarantees the day when all tragedies will be forever ended. Look at the holy cross and see: that’s exactly the God we have.

HT-Online subscribers will find a bible study on the Haiti Earthquake at the HT-Online members page.

The Rev Bruce Keseman is Pastor of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL and a member of Higher Things Board of Directors.

by the Rev. Rich Heinz 

"Mr. Holmes, you must widen your gaze. I'm concerned you underestimate the gravity of coming events. For you and I are bound on a journey that will twist the very fabric of nature," says Lord Blackwood, a nobleman imprisoned, thanks to Sherlock Holmes.  Lord Blackwood has engaged in murders – human sacrifices – to secure his power over others, enshrouded by the occult.  Blackwood has Londoners convinced that he is risen from the dead and can perform black magic, and in a Mason-like secret society, he attempts to gain control of the British Empire.  He repeatedly chides Holmes and others for their “unbelief.” 

Have you surfed the “Christian” blogoshpere lately?  It’s fascinating to see all sorts of people crying out against the movie because of its occult theme.  Pious (and Pietistic) commentators are urging Christians to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Ach!  Run away!  Don’t give the devil your ticket money!   

But are their urgings and protests for the right reasons? 

SPOILER ALERT.  If you will be annoyed by reading more about the plot, stop, see the film, and return to your computer.  Then log onto HT and pick up here where you left off. 

The “powers” of Lord Blackwood, in the end, are discovered to be technological and psychological – not diabolical.  While an evil man, and a wicked, murderous criminal, Lord Blackwood’s “magic” is explained away by the Detective from 221b Baker Street. 

Yet, is this not also a danger?  Explaining away evil, and dismissing the spiritual as superstitious is a threat to the Church.  The “believers” in Blackwood’s abilities were seen as the spiritual ones in the film, yet they were also the simple-minded fools who were not thinking for themselves.  Those who did not “believe” were seen as the more rational and mature ones. 

Sherlock Holmes (at least in this film, I cannot recall more references in the literary works) has little regard for things spiritual.  He takes pride in human wisdom, observation, deduction, and other capabilities, whilst God “takes a back seat.”  When “the game’s afoot,” it is not the wisdom of God or His mercy and work that are central, but the abilities of man – namely the man, Sherlock Holmes. 

Is there a first commandment issue in the film?  Perhaps, but not in a “Wow!  It’d be cool to be like Blackwood and control people with black magic from the devil!”  Rather, the danger is a fear, love, and trust in one’s self (along with one’s wisdom, critical thinking and deduction, etc.) above all things. 

Should Holmes’ gaze be widened, as the imprisoned Blackwood asserts?  Yes.  Again, his gaze should not be widened to the submission to any secret apron-wearing, secret handshake giving nonsense, or even to the dark deeds and words of the occult.  Holmes’ gaze should be widened to fix his eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith! 

Bottom line: is it wrong to see Sherlock Holmes?  Only if your parents tell you “no.”  (It then becomes a 4^th Commandment issue.) 

Skepticism, scrutiny, and unbelief face the Church every day.  Your $8.50 will not be promoting devil worship; actually, this film mocks that.  Theologically, the worst aspect of the film is Holmes’ self-worship.  And when it comes down to it, that is the heart of Old Adam, who is a part of our daily struggle.  We have the same sin as this fictional character, with a pretty big log to pull out before we get the speck out of his fictitious eye. 

Yes, dear baptized friends, your gaze does need to be widened.  Not to succumb to evil, not to debate over movies.  When your human frailty cannot see from the darkness of this world, the Holy Spirit widens your gaze to behold the King of Kings – Wisdom enfleshed – the Light of Light – who reveals Himself to you.  

The Rev. Rich Heinz is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church & School in Chicago, Illinois.  He is the Chaplain for this summer’s Given in Memphis, TN.  He is also a fan of the Sherlock Holmes legend, and enjoyed this fast-paced reinvention of this detective.

by The Rev. Brent Kuhlman

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.”  Who prays like that?  The church!  She dares to pray that way.  Especially during this blessed season of Advent. “Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.”  And lo and behold He does!  He comes to His lost and condemned creatures.  In a way that blows you away!  Check it out.  

Go ahead.  Try to bore a way up to heaven.  Peek your head through the clouds.  See if you can find the Lord seated on a red-velvety cushioned throne.  I’ve got news for you.  You won’t find Him way up there!  Why?  Because the Lord has come way down here!   

The Lord Jesus stirs up His power and comes among us with great might.  But see how it happens. Scandalous!  Outrageous!  Illegitimate circumstances!  He stirs up His power and comes among us with great might as He is conceived by the Holy Spirit-filled sermon preached by the angel Gabriel in the virgin Mary’s-engaged-to-be-married-to Joseph-ears.   He gestates for nine months in her womb.  Born in backwoods Bethlehem. He nurses from the virgin’s breast.  He cuddles in her lap.  A cattle trough is His bed.   Infant holy.  Infant lowly.  Yes, indeed, this child – the Baby Jesus -- is Lord of all in weakness, a scandalous state of affairs, and great humility.   

See how He stirs up His power to come! Who for us men and for our salvation -- Jesus COMES DOWN FROM HEAVEN! He comes all the way down here -- into the mire, muck and total mess of our lives.  The eternal Word takes on human flesh and dwells among us so much so “that His skin smokes” as one famous German preacher named Martin Luther once remarked!  He comes to seek and to save the lost and condemned.  Baby Jesus Immanuel.  Immanuel -- because He is God with us (Matthew 1:23).  Jesus – because He saves His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  He gives His people knowledge of salvation.  How?  Through the forgiveness of sins (Luke 1:77)!   

No forgiveness without the shedding of blood.  And so God With Us Immanuel Jesus offers His Blood as the Lamb of God!  Born to die on His Friday afternoon we so aptly name “Good!”  See how He stirs up His power!  See how He comes with great might!  In suffering!  In shame!  In disgrace!  In death!  Innocent, yet He is crucified as a criminal.  On the earth the cross is His throne!  And there He reigns as king.   

There He willingly bears the sin of many.  Of all.  Yours too.  You name the sin.  The ones you hate. Even the ones you like, love, and don’t want to quit doing.  Include the ones you don’t even know.  Didn’t even realize you’ve committed. That’s how bad it is with you – and me!  But Jesus – Immanuel God With Us – comes and answers for them all.  He leaves none out.  He is the sacrifice that atones for the sin of the world.  Consequently, there is no condemnation for you as far as God is concerned.  None!  Jesus took the damnation.  And you’re forgiven.  God is most pleased with you because in the Body of Jesus His Son all your sin and it’s hellish punishment have been dumped in the black hole of His death.  That’s how He stirs up His power.  How He comes in great might.  He does it save.  To save you!  To win your salvation.   

Now today He bestows what He won for you.  He came to you and brought you paradise – heaven – in the water of Holy Baptism.  Baptized in the Triune Name you are (Matthew 28:19).  And to be baptized in God’s Name is to be baptized by God Himself.  You are buried with Christ into His all atoning death (Romans 6).  Given the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).  Born from above (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:4-7).  Washed, sanctified, justified, SAVED (1 Corinthians 6:11; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)! 

He comes to you in the preaching of the Gospel.  When you hear the preacher proclaim that Jesus died for you and that He rose for you and that your sins are forgiven, in those words you’ve heard the Lord Jesus Himself.  “He who hears you[the preacher] hears me,” (Luke 10:16) is His promise.  He comes in the words of Holy Absolution.  “Do you believe that my forgiveness is God’s forgiveness,” the pastor asks in confession (see Lutheran Service Book, p. 293).  And in that spoken word of forgiveness you hear the living voice of Christ Himself (viva vox Christi).  He speaks to you just as he spoke to the paralytic:  “Be of good cheer my son.  Your sins are forgiven,” (Matthew 9:2; see also Matthew 16:19; 18:18; John 20:19-23). 

And there is more!  He stirs up His power and comes in the Sacrament of the Altar.  With His words Jesus does and gives what He promises.  He bestows His Good Friday Body and Blood with the bread and wine for you to eat and drink with your mouth.  And He adds this most remarkable promise:  “It’s for you.  This is for the forgiveness of your sins,” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Matthew 26:28).  In this eating and drinking – in this blessed receiving of His last will and testament -- we proclaim that His death is for you, for me, and for all until He comes on the last day (1 Corinthians 11:26). 

And on that last day He stirs up more of His power.  He will come to judge the living and the dead.  But you’ll be ready.  Really.  No need to be afraid.  For you’ve been rehearsing for the last day all your life.  After all, every time you hear the Gospel, the Absolution, and receive the Lord’s Supper you’ve heard Judge Jesus and you know His judgment over you.  And what is that?  That you’re died for, that you are forgiven, and that heaven is yours.  Every time you attend the divine service it’s judgment day in miniature – the last day ahead of time.  The Lord Jesus comes and stands in your midst (Matthew 18:20) to render His last day judgment:  “Acquitted!  Set free!  I died for you.”  So that when the last day comes you will see with your eyes what you’ve always had by faith.  And the judgment will be no different for you who trust in Him.     

And so you together with the church dare to pray:  “Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.”  After all, we know the end game.  That by the Lord Jesus Himself we are rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Him who comes in great might:  at Bethlehem and Calvary, in the Word and Sacraments, and finally on the last day.

Until then, the Lord Jesus will bless you, defend you from all evil, and bring you to the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.  Have a happy Advent and blessed Christmas.

Rev. Brent Kuhlman is pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, NE. He is also Vice-President of Higher Things and a regular guest on HT-Radio

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

In the Name of Jesus.  Amen. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercies endure forever.”

Sinners love Thanksgiving – for sinners are on the receiving end of all the things from God to be thankful for.

So, we know one thing about this man, besides being a Samaritan, a leper, a foreigner.  This man simply MUST BE a sinner!  That’s why he’s on his face, thanking Jesus.

Now, the Old Testament tells us that the Samaritans were foreigners that settled in Israel after the people Israel were exiled.  The Samaritans adopted some of the religion and customs of God’s people.  But when Israel returned from exile, they never quite mixed well again with those Samaritans.  And the tension, the divide between them survived to the day of Jesus.

So that we hear in John 4 of Jesus speaking with a woman at a well; John must point out that it was so strange, because it was a Samaritan woman.  You know, because Jews and Samaritans don’t mix.

Now, the Gospel of Luke shows us that Jesus had had some trouble with Samaritans.  When the disciples came to a village of the Samaritans to prepare for Jesus’ arrival, the Samaritans did not welcome them.  

They then asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans and their town.  

But, Jesus rebuked them sternly. He had come to save the world, not destroy it.  He had come to seek and save that which was lost - even the Samaritans.  

So, later, we shouldn’t be with the shocked crowds when Jesus tells them of a Samaritan man who helped the robbery victim, though the priest and Levite had no mercy.  

And now, today’s Gospel, gives us the sad fact that out of ten lepers cleansed, only one, a Samaritan again, comes and thanks Jesus, giving proper glory to God in heaven.  

It’s seems that only the most wrong of us knows the most right way to glorify God!  That should make sense to us, after all, Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners!”

Which just further reminds us that Jesus has come to show mercy upon sinners, to eat and drink with them.  He came to heal our diseases and carry our burdens.  Even if 9 out of 10 cannot even say ‘Thank you.’  He still came.

With this in mind, it is so right for Christians to pause and thank God for all His benefits to us.  Because we know ourselves to be the least deserving of all people!  We should be grateful to God for a national holiday set aside for being grateful!  

For then we can be reminded again that every good gift comes to us--not by chance, luck, fate, or our own plans--but from the hand of our heavenly Father.  And there is no better way to glorify God than to fall down with that one man, ex-leper, at the feet of Jesus and thank Him.

You and I, dear Christians, know that the God Who made us is more than some sort of treat-dispenser, a candy-machine, one-armed bandit, who now and then gives out goodies.  

Instead, our Maker has overlooked our attempted murder of Him; and He placed His Son among sinners, for sinners, to take their place.  

So that now, baptized into His Name, confessing our sins and seeking His pardon, we know what most men in this world will never know:  

The good gifts the Lord gives all pale in comparison to the gift of His Son.

Cleansing from leprosy is a good thing.  But that Samaritan man came back, thanking Jesus.  And therefore received a message that the other nine missed that day.  

“Rise and go; your faith has saved you.”  Nine got clean skin.  One got salvation.  The Gospels are full of this example.

Jesus fed the 5000 with bread and fish.  But when they loosened their belts one notch and bellied up to the buffet a second time, Jesus told them that He had bread to give that a man may eat and not die.  Most men turned from Him then.  

The woman at the well wanted water without end, so that she’d never be thirsty.  Jesus directed her to water that you don’t get from a well, but from the Word of God, from the Gospel of Jesus.

For nine out of ten--at least that one day--their visible, physical, emotional, financial crisis was taken away.  And that is all they asked of Jesus.  But ten per cent of the men that day knew that there stood something else, Someone Else, than just a healer.  

Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem, to the Cross, for all ten lepers, even if only one put his face on the ground.  

Then--glory to God!--with face to the ground, calling out to God in praise for what He had done, this man let everyone there know that for him, the man standing there was his Lord.

As you do, dear Christians, as often as you fall before the Lord, confessing your sins and seeking His pardon.  As often as you eat His Bread and drink His Cup, you do proclaim the Lord’s death in Jerusalem, where He was going that day, until He comes again to save us.  

So, what has God given us?  For what do we give thanks?

Thank God for the harvest, for good food, family, friends, homes, cars, running water, a fireplace, a grill, an oven.  But never forget why these things are yours.  Jesus has cleansed you of the leprosy of sin.  

Thank God for a free land, for our government, for the police and firemen, for your neighbors.  Then, remember that God gives you all these good gifts because you bear His Name now in your Baptism.

Feast on the Happy Day of Thanksgiving.  Then remember even then that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  

Before you eat, every day, every meal, let’s not behave like brute beasts, sticking our noses into the trough!  Instead, let us praise our Maker, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

And it is a good thing the catechism tells us, that we also return thanks when the meal is done, telling the world that we may have full bellies, but we have so much more.  

This is what I love about our congregation.  For we never fail to return thanks for what God has given us.

Food, yes.  But, more than that!  We have the Son of God, even His Body and His Blood, for the forgiveness of our sins.  

We have bread that a man may eat and not die.  We have water that a man may drink and never thirst again.  

God makes us, grows us, heals our wounds and takes away disease.  Then, He gives us more:  He reminds us that we have for sure the Son of God in our flesh, the friend of sinners, the one who touches lepers, the one who went to Jerusalem in our place.  And while we live we will praise God, thank Jesus.  And when we die, well, God will not let His praises die.  You know what that means for us!

Friends, This world is chock full of men who figure they deserve, they are entitled, they have good things due them, coming to them.  

I would plead with you to remember tonight that:  Jesus is truly your friend, if you admit yourself to be a sinner.  If you receive a gift, and know it as a gift, and fall at the feet of your God; if you look around this world and know that YOU are the most blessed, because least deserving.  

So, Thanksgiving teaches us to say thank you, out loud, in your prayers to God who gives you gifts, to men who give you something too.  Start trying now.  Saying thank you isn’t just for children, it’s for all of us.  Thanks to God, thanks you to those around us.

God gives gifts, treasures, bounty, this world, this land, each other, His Word, His Son, the Sacrament, the Church--to people like you and me? 

What else is there to say, than what the psalm tells us, what the catechism teaches us to cap each Holy Supper, and every meal together?  “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.”

Rise and go; your faith has saved you.  Your Jesus has saved you.  Now there’s a Happy Thanksgiving! 

 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.”  Amen.

We give thanks to God for the birth of Lucille Rose Lemon, born November 6, to Stan (our Webmaster!) and Sara Lemon. We also celebrate and give thanks to God for Lucy's second birth from above by the waters of Holy Baptism on Sunday, November 15, 2009. Congratulations, Stan and Sara! Welcome, Lucy, to the Higher Things family! 

by The Rev. Rich Heinz  

The theme is a common one from literature and television: take a rag-tag bunch of misfits, bring them together, and when working together, the greatest of odds can be overcome.  This is at the heart of Glee, running its first season on Fox, Wednesdays at 9 PM EST. 

There are a number of roles and situations on Glee that the Christian would find troubling.  Of course, every human is sinful, and we will not look at every single character.  Still, it’s a good thing to look at a few examples. 

Kurt Hummel is a sweet boy.  He is a loyal friend.  He has a good voice.  He loves fashion.  And he has a bit of a crush on star quarterback Finn Hudson.  Yes, Kurt is a stereotypical, flamboyant homosexual. 

Sue Sylvester is downright mean.  This cheerleading coach is the embodiment of evil, cunningly cutting down kids’ egos, manipulating and destroying what she sees fit, literally pushing people down stairs, and trying to sabotage the Glee Club. 

Noah "Puck" Puckerman has fathered the pre-born child of Quinn Fabray, cheerleader and president of the celibacy club.  Quinn is also the girlfriend of Finn Hudson, and has convinced him that although they have not had sexual relations, he is the father. 

But perhaps the most disturbing scenario of the entire series (and yet the one we are drawn to accept and enjoy) is the relationship of Will Schuester and Emma Pilsbury.  Will and Emma were high school friends at the same school where he now teaches and she is guidance counselor.  Will is now in a very unhappy marriage, in which his wife, Terri, is completely self-absorbed—to the point it is plainly idolatry.  She shows no care or concern for him, is extremely demanding and manipulative, and has led them to the brink of financial ruin. 

Viewers are not supposed to like Terri at all.  Conversely, Emma is quirky, but as nice and sweet as can be, and you end up wanting Will and Emma to get together!  Will and Emma both show care for people, and put others ahead of themselves. 

Those of us who are committed to what the Lord teaches about the sanctity of Holy Marriage can be easily led down this (albeit fictitious) path of approving their repressed romance.  Granted, Will and Emma have not gotten to the point of sexual infidelity – or have they?  Tension-filled hugs and staring into one another’s eyes might not be “going all the way,” but there certainly is desire that transgresses the 6^th commandment. 

On the other hand, in spite of all these troubles, is there anything worth noting?  I would suggest there is.   

Glee is full of love and friendship.  Students that didn’t find a niche in the school have become a group of loyal friends, truly caring for one another.  When others fail them, the Glee kids come to realize that these new friends have accepted them, “no strings attached.” 

Glee shows forgiveness.  Yes, I realize it is not flowing from Christ through His Gifts, but the Glee students, along with Will and his friends, demonstrate a human forgiveness and an allowing of new beginnings for each other.  Quinn is shunned by her cheerleader “friends” when they discover she is pregnant.  She is also kicked off the squad.  But the Glee friends voice their care for her.   And when Finn has been pressured by the football team to back off from Glee and even torment them, Kurt takes a slushy out of Finn’s hand and tosses it on himself.  Kurt “took one for the [Glee] team,” so the quarterback did not have the guilt of doing this to a friend, yet he could maintain a “cool” reputation on the football team.  When all is said and done, Finn is welcomed back to Glee.   

So where does that leave you, the Christian viewer?  How should you feel about Glee?  I propose that the answer is similar to how you should feel about the people in your real life – the students and faculty of your own school, the friends in your own circles, even the people in the pews of your church. 

Every one of us is a poor, miserable sinner.  This does not excuse our actions or words or thoughts in the least.  However, we live in a recognition that in faith we will not approve of every behavior, every day. 

Yes, Glee has some sinful characters and sinful scenarios.  Still, there are moments of (humanly speaking) goodness, kindness, and friendship.  Being familiar with a show like Glee that so many are watching, may provide opportunities for you to engage in discussions that would otherwise be unavailable.  Perhaps the Lord might end up using you to be His witness, speaking the truth in love.  He may lead you to show what was good and supportive of the faith in a given episode, and what was not. 

In the end, you already know the one and only Source of your Glee: Jesus Christ!  Our Savior has taken on human flesh and was born, announced with the Glee of singing angels.  At His Baptism, the Father announced from heaven His Glee in His Son, in whom He is well pleased.  With Jesus’ triumph on the cross and His joyous resurrection, God demonstrated His Glee once again, in the ultimate, first Easter. 

Jesus is the greatest, truest, and everlasting Glee for His Church!  Living in Him, we await the Day when our Glee will be complete, and He gathers us all into the eternal kingdom He has GIVEN. 

The Rev. Rich Heinz is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church & School, Chicago, IL.  Pastor Heinz appeared in a number of theatrical productions, including musicals such as Hello, Dolly!, Bye Bye Birdie, and Little Shop of Horrors.  But he never was in Glee club.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

The rally cry of Higher Things is “Dare to be Lutheran!” In October, Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day , the day when Dr. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg to call the church back to preaching God's grace through Jesus Christ. Martin Luther was ready to give his life for the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins for Jesus' sake alone, just as many more martyrs before him had given their lives for confessing Jesus. Today, however, we live in a world where it is unacceptable to say that one religion is right and others are wrong. Today, even Christians are timid when it comes to saying that Christ is the only way to heaven. Even more, some Lutherans call themselves “Lutheran-Christians” as if to emphasize that somehow the two aren't quite the same. Against all this, we say, “Dare to be Lutheran!” And just what does it mean to “Dare to be Lutheran?” Read on! 

“Dare to be Lutheran” means that you dare to be a Christian, a follower of Christ. It means that we confess that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way, Truth and Life. He alone is true God and true man who was born of the Virgin Mary to carry our sins to the cross of Calvary and die for them. To be Lutheran is to believe, teach, confess, celebrate, rejoice in and live by Christ and Him crucified. It is to joyfully declare to the world that the God who was killed on the cross and rose again is the only true God and Savior. To dare to be Lutheran is to have all of your hopes and confidence in Jesus, who has rescued us from sin, death, the devil, hell, the curse of the Law and the judgment of God. It is to trust in the Jesus who has given us forgiveness of sins, life, salvation, and made us children of God with an eternal inheritance. Dare to be Lutheran? It's all about Christ! 

“Dare to be Lutheran” means that you live only by Christ's gifts. It means confessing the salvation that God gives in Holy Baptism where you are born again from above by water, word and Spirit and become God's child by His grace. Daring to be Lutheran is about believing that by the pastor whom God calls, Jesus Himself forgives our sins and no one in heaven or hell or on earth can say otherwise. It means that all of our religion and piety and worship and believing and doctrine and teaching come from one place and one place only: The Holy Scriptures, the pure “fountain of Israel” which are God's holy Word. Daring to be Lutheran means having a hunger and thirst for the body and blood of Jesus at His altar. His Supper is no symbolic meal but a true and living gift of the very body and blood that were pierced and flowed on the cross for your sins. Dare to be Lutheran? It's all about Christ's gifts! 

“Dare to be Lutheran” means that you speak, sing and listen for Christ and God's Word in your worship and when you hear teaching. It means singing the hymns of the faith with gusto, singing the liturgy with joy and worshiping not mostly to tell God how great He is, but to receive from Him His holy and saving gifts. Daring to be Lutheran is all about hearing our pastors teach us Christ from the Holy Scriptures, call us to repentance for our sins, and teach us how Christ lives for others in and through us. It means asking the hard questions and relating all that we hear and learn to Christ and his salvation. Daring to be Lutheran means rejecting what is false and flashy for what is true and genuine. Dare to be Lutheran? It's all about Christ's Word and teaching! 

“Dare to be Lutheran” also means that you enjoy the creation that is a gift from your heavenly Father, even while knowing this life is passing away for a better life to come. Daring to be Lutheran means enjoying the gifts of this world in music and art and friends and activities. It means being hardcore sports fans or skilled video game players. It means enjoying good food and fun entertainment. It means being silly and having fun with friends. It means having a good time without having to fall into the excesses of a world that has no heavenly perspective. Daring to be Lutheran recognizes that all of these things are gifts from our heavenly Father, given to us for Jesus' sake. Dare to be Lutheran? It's all about every good gift given to you through Jesus Christ.  

So as Reformation Day approaches, “Dare to be Lutheran!” As St. Peter says, be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you! It's Christ. By His cross and through water, word, body and blood, Jesus has saved you from your sins. He continues to forgive them and has prepared a place for you in the life to come. Dare to be Lutheran? You bet! Dare to be Lutheran! For Christ is Lord of all!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

The children come running, as they return from the vacation.  Excitedly, each one wants to be the first to speak in the classroom.  “Teacher, guess what I did!”  “Teacher, pick me!”  “You won’t believe where we went and what we got to do!” 

Jesus is welcoming back His students from their field trip.  His first 72 missionaries, aside from the 12 apostles, are coming back to Jesus in today’s Gospel, and they can’t wait to talk to Him!  .  “Teacher, guess what I did!”  “Teacher, pick me!”  “You won’t believe where we went and what we got to do!” 

With eyes wide from amazement, they describe to Jesus how even demons submitted to them in His name.  Fallen angels – Satan’s minions – evil spirits roamed about Palestine and wreaked all sorts of havoc and tormented people.  Demons are still very real.  But then and there, they were in a last-ditch effort to ruin Christ’s work of salvation.  Demons were unleashing all they had to distract people from our Lord and His Gospel.  No one else had made any headway. No one, that is, except Jesus.  Our Lord Christ had cast out demons.  And now, recently, His disciples were beginning to do the same – not from their own authority or power, but in the Name of Jesus! 

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”  How’s that for a thrill that sends chills down your spine?  Satan, the old evil foe, the prince of this world, falls down.  That wicked serpent who deceived our ancestor Eve, who tormented faithful Job, who set the hearts of Pharaoh, Herod, and even modern, “civilized” politicians against innocent babies, is cunning and ferocious.  Yet he is powerless against the Word of Christ. 

Watch yourselves, though.  For often we do not encourage Satan’s fall.  Sometimes we help him back up.  When you shy away from admitting that the devil exists and is a threat, it actually is helpful to him.  It helps him up!  When you think that demons are made up stories in the Bible and deny their existence, it helps him up.  When you refrain from being sustained in the Divine Service by Gospel and Sacrament, Satan is happy; it helps him up! 

But for all those rebellious times, our compassionate Savior and loving Lord rescues us.  He dishes out His forgiveness and mercy through His means of grace.  And with every helping, Satan fall[s] like lightning from heaven! 

In today’s Gospel, our Savior rejoices with these returning missionaries, giving encouragement and cheering, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”  But what does He mean?  When Jesus says, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” is He talking about the mission that He just sent them on, or is He talking about Satan and his fellow, fallen angels being cast out after they rebelled against the Lord, before the fall of Adam and Eve?  In a word, yes.  But specifically, our Lord Jesus calls attention to the recent events as these men were preaching the Gospel. 

You see, every time a pastor’s hand dips in that font and pours a cleansing flood over someone, Christ wins.  And the devil falls down. Satan fall[s], like lightning from heaven.  Every time the saving work of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, and His forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are declared to people, Satan fall[s], like lightning from heaven.  Every time someone repents and comes and confesses their sin to their pastor and he absolves him, Satan fall[s], like lightning from heaven.  Every time someone comes to the Holy Supper of our Lord, and receives the Holy Gift of Christ Himself, Satan fall[s], like lightning from heaven. 

But as joyous as it is, to know that Satan is falling, our Lord Christ declares that we are not to spend too much time focusing on that.  No.  He says, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”  Jesus says, “Yeah.  It is great that you are kicking the devil’s backside in My Name!  But this is even better: You get to spend eternity in heaven with Me!” You have been called by the Gospel, enlightened with His Gifts, sanctified and kept in the true faith.  You have been given new birth by Water and the Word, and continue to be nourished by His Gospel and Eucharist.  Through these Gifts, Jesus is preserving you on that list, “written in heaven.”   

On this Church festival of Saint Michael & All Angels, it can get easy to lose that focus.  For well over a thousand years, the Holy Church has taken the 29^th of September as a day to give thanks to God for His holy angels who serve and protect us.  In the Lutheran Church, we sometimes transfer this celebration to a Sunday, so more people can participate in the occasion.  We praise the Lord for His legions of spirit warriors who defend us from the evil one, and watch over God’s children.  They do amazing work – miraculous work – that blesses us in our earthly pilgrimage, and for this it is completely appropriate to pause and thank our heavenly Father.  Yet do it with the proper focus. 

As the Master Teacher welcomes us to the Divine Service, we may get excited recalling the protection of guardian angels at this or that moment in life.  “Teacher, pick me!  I have a great story about angels!”  And we remember the car accident where the police officer claims that no one should have survived, yet the baby in the car seat filled with shattered glass does not have a single scratch. Another recounts an accident where the semi’s rear bumper came to rest on the steering wheel, and one more inch would have made the crash fatal.  Still others tell of moments of rescue, with no physical explanation, from tragedies, war, and violence. 

Are these good to recall?  Most definitely!  Do angels serve and protect us?  Absolutely!  Should we honor them and praise the Lord for using them?  Without a doubt!  But should they crowd out the message of Christ?  Never. 

Jesus, Lord over men and angels, reminds us, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”  And until we join Him there, dear friends in Christ, you can join the thrilling celebration of Satan falling like lightning.  We rejoice not simply in his defeat, but knowing that his defeat is Christ’s victory!  Jesus baptizing another.  Jesus preaching His Gospel to another.  Jesus feeding another with His Body and Blood. 

Praise God!  Michael and Gabriel, angels, and archangels and all the company of heaven join in this praising.  Celebrate that our gracious God sends them to serve and protect His children and His Church.  But even more, dear friends in Christ, rejoice that your names are written in heaven.