During the season of Epiphany we contemplate our Lord's manifestation, His coming to us to gift us in His very flesh with forgiveness unto life eternal. Higher Things has once again prepared Daily Reflections for your use. The season of Epiphany was written by the Rev. George Borghardt of Conroe, TX and is now avaiulable for download and printing here. Reflections are for personal, family, small group, and congregational devotions. During the Season of Epiphany they will be posted each day online, as well as via e-mail. You can subscribe to our daily Reflections e-mail list by sending a message to, Reflections-on@lists.higherthings.org.

It's about time that Higher Movies took a look at Narnia. Everyone is talking about Disney's new smash hit "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe."

What do we think at Higher Things? The best place for discussion on HT's website is our blogs. We've had three of our bloggers review it. Check out their following reviews:

    Nathan Fischer at "Blood & Water"
    A.B. Fouts at A.B. Fouts at "Writ in Water"
    Pastor Todd Peperkorn at "The Lutheran Logomaniac"(To be added later today)

Do you agree? Do you disagree? Let them know what you think by posting comments on their blogs!

A blessed Advent to you!  

Paster Borghardt
Internet Services Executive

It's beginning to look alot like....

well almost...

so close...

It's almost Christmas and Higher Things has some early Christmas presents for you.  We have brought out some old presents, new presents, and different presents in this special Christmas Online Resource Page!

We've got Dasher and Dancer and Comet and Cupid ... well, no we don't.  But we do have articles from years past and one special Christmas article from the upcoming Winter 2005 Higher Things Magazine.  Personally, I really like the preview article.  He's my favorite HT writer (smile).  

We also have poetry from Pastor Cwirla, sermons from Pastor Peperkorn, Pastor Keseman (a.k.a. "The Annoucement Guy"), and Pastor Zill (the guy who doesn't post on his blog).  We've even got the Reflections from last year and this year!

Jesus is almost here! He's coming soon! May the Lord fill your Advent preparation with His Words.  Happy Reading!  

Merry... Christ.....

A blessed Advent to you!  

Paster Borghardt
Internet Services Executive

THERE'S STILL TIME!

Advent is coming quickly, but there's still time to download Higher Things Advent and Christmas Reflections booklets before tomorrow! Download Reflections at <http://higherthings.org/html/reflections.html> and print them out for your personal, family, or even congregational devotions throughout the season.

Or, send an email to Reflections-on@lists.higherthings.org to receive Reflections every day in your email Inbox. Some people even set <http://www.higherthings.org> as their web browser home page because Reflections are available on the website every day as well!

This year, starting with Advent, Reflections will be available daily for the entire year. The Epiphany booklet is now in the final editing and proofing stages to be ready for download in the next week or so.

Reflections are available free of charge, a gift from Higher Things to you.

If you'd like support all that we do at HT with a donation, you may do so at our website at <http://www.higherthings.org/html/support.html> or by mailing a check to: Higher Things, P.O. Box 82 , Hamel , MN 55340. Copies may be made of the Reflections booklets, we only ask that they be reprinted in their entirety without alteration.

Have a blessed Advent and Christmas!

 

Sandra Ostapowich
Higher Things, Secretary and Internet Services Team

In August, the leadership of Higher Things met in Plymouth, MN for a two day retreat to consider the past, present, and future of Higher Things. Two clear thoughts emerged. We wanted to provide our services to many more congregations and their youth. At the same time we wanted to retain the grassroots, ad hoc, edgy creativity that makes Higher Things unique.

And so we gave ourselves an extreme makeover. Structured, yet entrepreneurial. Institutional, yet non-institutional. A paradox, just like Lutheran theology. The new structure has two distinct groups: the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

The Board of Directors consists of nine directors, four of whom are also officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer). The Board of Directors is the guardian of the mission of Higher Things and the steward of its resources. They make sure the money is being spent properly, search for kind and generous people to give money, make sure all the tax forms are filled out, and watch that Higher Things remains, well, "Higher Things."

The Executive Committee consists of five executives who run distinct areas of Higher Things. Pr. Todd Peperkorn is the executive in charge of Publications, including Higher Things magazine. Pr. Marcus Zill is in charge of Christ on Campus, the campus ministry arm of Higher Things. Pr. Bruce Keseman is in charge of Conferences. Mrs. Sue Pellegrini is the executive in charge of Leadership Development, who will be working to identify and train new leaders for Higher Things. Pr. George Borghardt is the executive in charge of Internet Services, which includes everything you see on the web. 

With nine directors directing, five executives executing, and four officers officiating, (not to mention eight lords a' leaping), we hope and pray that Higher Things will be able to offer the whole lot and a whole lot more to the joy and edifying of Christ's holy people.

On November 7, the Higher Things Board of Directors adopted new Bylaws that, among other changes, increased the number of directors to nine, including the president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. Lynn Fredericksen was elected to a one-year term as treasurer and director. Pr. William M. Cwirla, who is already a director, was elected vice-president.

The board of directors elected three new directors: Bruce Paradis, Richard Resch, and Beverly Yahnke.

Mr. Bruce J. Paradis is the Chief Executive Officer of Residential Capital Corporation, a market leader in real estate finance, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bruce and his wife, Lisa, are members of Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN. They have six sons - Eric, Jason, Seth, Paul, Nicholas and Michael.

The Rev. Richard Resch is an accomplished liturgical organist who seves as Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne, IN. He is also professor of liturgics and homiletics and has served on the LC-MS Commission on Worship, and is co-director of The Good Shepherd Institute. Rev. Resch has produced nine CDs of church music. His wife's name is Barbara, and they have two children - Matthew and Allison.

Dr. Beverly Yahnke is the founder and clinical director of Christian Counseling Services in Milwaukee. Formerly, she served as a psychology professor at Concordia University in Mequon and received the Faculty Laureate award for outstanding teaching. As a Christian psychologist she is able to invite people to integrate the resources of their faith into the healing process. Her husband, David, is a physician who also teaches at Concordia Mequon. They are members at Elm Grove Ev. Lutheran Church in Wisconsin. They enjoy skiing, scuba and travel.

We are pleased to add these wonderfully qualified and dedicated people to our board of directors. Each brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, and perspective together with a Christ-centered love for our church's youth.

The Youth of Advent Lutheran Church invite you to join them for the HIGHER THINGS WINTER RETREAT 2006

When: January 13th, 14th, & 15th (Friday evening to Sunday morning)

WHERE: Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church - 11250 N Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN 46077 (Metropolitan Indianapolis)

Higher Things is an organization dedicated to assisting congregations in the Christian training of youth through instruction in the Lutheran faith and by promoting Lutheran identity through the same. Higher Things does this through a number of means including conferences and our quarterly magazine for youth.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
� Rev. Klemet Preus (Glory of Christ Lutheran Church, Plymouth, MN) - How To Argue About Jesus

BREAK-OUT SESSION SPEAKERS
� Dr. Richard Bucher (Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY) - How To Argue Using the Bible � Rev. Sean Ballard (Our Savior Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, IN) - How To Argue Beyond Race & Culture � Rev. Peter Cage (Grace Lutheran Church, Muncie, IN) - How To Argue With Teachers & Professors

To register or for more information please call 317- 873-6318 Email: 
<info@adventlutheran.org>

My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. - Psalms 35:28

Registration Information
Everyone who attends the Higher Things Winter Retreat must register. 
Registration is open now and will close on December 19, 2005 unless we reach capacity before that date. We urge you to register as soon as possible. The cost to registrants is $75.00 each and is due at the time registration forms are sent. Send completed registration and one check payable to Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church forms to:

Registration Information
Group Registration Form
Individual Registration Form

Higher Things Winter Retreat
Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church
11250 N. Michigan Road
Zionsville, IN 46077

Who is invited to the Higher Things Winter Retreat
1.  Youth. While Higher Things conferences are specifically designed for High School youth, registration is open to any youth who will have been confirmed by the retreat date.
2.  Adult Youth Leaders. Adult leaders must be 21 years of age and be willing to help organize your trip and supervise your group's youth participants. It is strongly recommended that you have at least one adult male and one adult female leader (unless your group includes only boys or girls). Higher Things prescribes a ratio of one adult per seven youth participants.

Tentative Retreat Schedule

Friday:
4:45 - 6:00 Registration
6:15 - 6:50 Dinner
7:00 - 7:15 Welcome and Announcements
7:15 - 8:00 Catechesis I
8:10 - 9:50 Icebreakers and organized fun (Movie night details TBA) 10:00 PM Evening Prayer

Saturday:
9:00 - 9:30 Matins
9:40 - 10:25 Catechesis II
10:35 - 11:25 Breakout Session 1
11:35 - 12:25 Breakout Session 2
12:35 - 1:15 Lunch
1:15 - 2:00 Catechesis III
2:00 - 4:00 Free Time or organized fun time (Rec games at a local gym) 4:00 - 4:55 Breakout Session 3
5:05 - 5:35 Vespers
5:45 - 6:30 Dinner at the church
6:30 - 7:15 Panel Discussion: Arguing About Jesus (Among Ourselves) 7:30 - 9:50 Social mixer hosted by Advent's youth (details TBA) 10:00 - 10:30 Evening Prayer

Sunday:
Divine Worship with Communion (exact schedule to be announced)

Sincerely,
Pastor John Fiene

Higher Things requests
the pleasure of your company at
THE FEAST,
the Higher Things 2006 Youth Conference.

Please join us from July 18-21, 2006
at Colorado College
in Colorado Springs, CO.

R.S.V.P. Requested.

Download Registration Forms and more information at
www.TheFeastOnline.org

Send completed Registration Forms to:

Higher Things - 2006 Conference
PMB #4304
2525 Broadway
Everett, WA 98201

1-888-HTCONF06
(1-888-482-6630)
thefeast@higherthings.org

Registration is now open. Come to The Feast!

--
Sandra Ostapowich
Publications, Team Feast

The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a courtroom drama based on a true story. The defendant and hero is a Roman priest who is accused of negligent homicide. The accusation against him is that he abused his position and the trust of  Emily Rose and her family by urging her to stop taking medication and failing to guide them to necessary medical treatment in favor of exorcism. The story of her possession and exorcism are told through flashbacks while witnesses take the stand.

The movie is well-written, directed, and acted. It is the most sympathetic portrayal of a clergyman I can think of from Hollywood, and that was nice. The priest is portrayed as a noble, honest, and selfless.
 
I was also pleased that what we saw of the rite of exorcism was in English, not Latin, and it was lacking a lot of ceremonial trappings. If it had been in Latin, or Holy water had been more prominent, and such, it would have seemed like a magical incantation, instead of the Word of God. It was not portrayed as magic. It was clear that the Word of God would drive these demons off or nothing would. Though there was never a clear witness of the Gospel (that Jesus died for us, loves us, etc) the Name of Jesus was dominant in the rite of exorcism. That was good. There was also a nice scene were the priest drove off the devil by praying to St. Michael. Yes, I'd rather that that he had prayed to Our Lord for St. Michael's help, but that is probably not how a roman priest would pray.
And, for what it is worth, I have no doubt that God answers the pious, but ignorant, prayers of His children in the Roman Church even when they are wrongly addressed to the saints.

For all of that I had a number of problems with the movie.

Number 1: too scary. I knew it would be, but still it needs to be said.  It was rated PG-13 and I am sure Hollywood thought it was cute. The problem is that this isn't fiction. Demons are real. I am not scared by R-rated movies of aliens and vampires and machine guns. I am scared by demons. Don't go see this movie if you're prone to nightmares or get nervous when alone at home.

Number 2: It is the not the purpose of the lives of the saints to show us that demons are real (the stated purpose of Emily Rose). Nor is the purpose of the saints to show us that there is a God that battles demons. Rather, the lives of the saints show us that God is merciful in Jesus Christ. The Gospel was missing from this movie and because of that the Roman church's doctrine was not accurately portrayed nor was the witness and suffering of Emily Rose really given it proper place or explanation. It could have been worse. This is probably about the best we can expect from Hollywood, but it wasn't quite right.

Number 3: Demons are both more powerful than depicted in the movie, and are also far less powerful. They are more powerful in that they're not that interested in causing a pencil to roll off a desk or slam doors just to scare you; nor are they so limited that a cold wind blows or you smell something burning and then it just goes away. I can't think of a single account of demonic activity in the Scriptures that has these kinds of activities happening. At the same time, demons are powerless when confronted by Christ. One little word can fell them. In Christ, we have power over demons. We can command them to go away. They are also very busy. They are at war. We are surrounded by the armies of God. He doesn't just let one slip through to slam a door now and then. St.
Michael and the holy angels keep the demons busy and us safe. That is a promise. The demons can and do harass us from time to time but they are not in control of themselves. Remember: Satan is God's Satan. God is in control and God keeps His promises.

Number 4: We don't choose crosses. In the movie St. Mary (a problem all its own) gives Emily Rose the choice of dying and being relieved of the demons by going to heaven or staying and fighting so that more people will see that the spiritual realm is real. She is told she will not be relieved of the demons until she dies. She chooses to stay and suffer more in order to enlighten the world. No way. Luther would have said: "Let me out of here." We don't choose our crosses. If they were optional, we'd opt out. God uses them for good. And I am certainly not saying that the sufferings of Emily Rose were in vain. But we don't choose them. I suppose it is good that the world recognizes the spiritual realm as real,  but what they really need to recognize and believe is that Jesus lives. Anyway, we don't seek crosses. Jesus prayed in the garden the cup be removed. Emily Rose was not holier than Jesus is. Choosing to endure this longer than necessary was strange and misleading. It hinted at a kind of works-righteousness.
 
Summary: This is a very thought-provoking movie, but very, very scary.  Whatever was wrong with it from a Lutheran perspective, it is astounding that Hollywood would make a movie that so favorably portrays Christians and a Roman priest. They did get their jabs in at the unseen "archdiocese," but compared to normal Hollywood fare that was even mild.

Should you see it? I don't know. I do think that even though it is only PG-13 before seeing it you should secure your parents approval.

The Rev. David Petersen is pastor of Redeemer in Fort Wayne, IN and serves on the editorial board for the magazine and regularly contributes to our website.

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