I've had an Epiphany!

As we are ready to once again celebrate God’s gift of mothers, here is some advice to you whom God has blessed to be called “Mom” or “Mommy.” Good Mothers Shape their Children's Character When the cameras close in on professional athletes, they never say, “Hi, Dad,” do they? It’s always, “Hi, Mom.” It’s not that dads are unimportant. But in their moment of triumph people go with their gut. They just blurt out a joyful response. And when they want to share joy and give credit, where do their hearts go? To Mom. Moms, what does that tell you about the value of sharing your faith in Christ with your kids? God is entrusting these dear ones into your care and assuming, expecting, demanding that you lead them to Him. God had Moses lay these instructions on all of His people shortly before Moses’ death: "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the r...

John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26 A week later his disciples were in the ...

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John 20:24-25 Mr. Robert Ripley enjoyed collecting strange and amazing bits of information which, although they seem unbelievable, were true. He first published his amazing facts as cartoons in the newspaper, but they became so popular that they were published in book form, made into radio and television programs, and there is even a chain of "Believe It Or Not" museums. In fact, there is a Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum in Wisconsin Dells. Here are examples of some of the amazing things you will find in "Believe It Or Not." Joann Barnes, a 15-year-old from California , once swung sixty-eight hula-hoops on her body at the same time...

By the second century, the feast of Easter had developed as an annual commemoration. The festival day was soon preceded by a 40-day time of fasting in preparation for the celebration, followed by a 50-day season of rejoicing concluded by Pentecost. The date for Easter differs from year to year because it is established by the phases of the moon (as was the Jewish festival of Passover). The Festival of the Resurrection is celebrated annually on the first Sunday after the first full moon (14th of Nisan in the Jewish calendar) after the spring equinox. (For a listing of Calendar Dates for the Church Year, see Christian Worship p. 162.) The early church saw Easter as something to be celebrated not just every year, but every week. Every Sunday is a “little Easter,” celebrating the resurrection. But the annual celebration of Easter Sunday is the highest point of the church year. On this day, the church celebrates the resurrection of Christ from death and the restoration of life to those...

When the Lord calls you home to heaven, what impact will you leave behind? A part of your legacy is shaped through your will and your beneficiary designations. Did you know your government provides you with some tax-advantaged ways to remember the Lord’s work—advantages that can increase your charitable gift by up to 50 percent? Leaving a gift for ministry can leave a gospel legacy that will enable others to hear God’s promises of love and forgiveness—a legacy with eternal implications. For more information on ways of sharing a gospel legacy, please contact WELS Ministry of Christian Giving to speak with the Christian giving counselor assigned to your area. Call 800-827-5482. He will be happy to serve you in a free, confidential, and gospel-based way. Freedom Isn’t Free Salvation is free—a gift to us from our Father in heaven. Paul makes that point so clearly in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift ...

The Road to Emmaus It's a story that's captivated the imagination of many generations. Mourning the death of Jesus, two first-century travelers were joined by a mysterious stranger. Over the next few hours, the stranger revealed mysteries hidden in the ancient Scriptures. Soon the purpose of Jesus' life became clear . . . and the travelers' sadness turned to great joy. “The Road to Emmaus” is a new movie resource starring Bruce Marchiano of the Visual Bible: "Matthew" and "Acts." Epiphany has ordered 100 of the DVDs. Our goal is to Watch It/Share It. Pick up your free copy of the movie at church, watch the 30 minute movie and go through the Questions for Reflection. Then give the movie to someone you know, someone who needs to hear the good news about Jesus. Your special someone can then keep the movie as a gift, share it with someone else or return it to you so that you may share it with another friend. This way we continue to share the go...