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Articles and Devotionals
Articles and Devotionals is our library of
stories,
anecdotes
and commentaries previously posted here on the site or published in our
monthly newsletter, The Immanuel Buzz. It also includes outlines and articles from other Christian authors and ministries.
Two new articles, "In Tha Muthahood" and "The Rapture That Never Happened", were added on January 10, 2012.
In our Celebrate Dad section is the sequel to Anita Renfroe's popular song "Total Momsense" (see
below), complete
with lyrics and link to the YouTube video, which explains why the song
is so short.
Part of our Celebrate Dad section, our annual Father's Day list of famous "dadisms", sayings that our dads
told us when we were growing up, now has a permanent year-round home on
our site. Click and read—and don't roll your eyes at your old man!
Do you want to know how to have total victory against sin in this
lifetime? Are you sure? This humorous story from a
Christian radio program illustrates the reality of struggling with sin
while we are in this life.
Just added! For Mother's Day 2011 comedienne Anita Renfroe did a sequel to her wildly successful 2007 video "Total Momsense". This time she becomes a hip-hop "Mama Bear" proudly representing her hometown of Atlanta and rapping the ups and downs of being a contemporary mother.
Since Mary was most likely a teenager when the angel Gabriel announced
she would be the mother of Jesus, how would she have shared this with
her teenage friends? Like, you really wanna know? Evangelist Greg
Laurie thinks out loud what it would sounded like.
Inspired by a radio commercial for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in
2005, this poem sings the wacky praises of one of the most venerable
institutions in the Lutheran church... which Immanuel First doesn't
have.
In our Celebrate Mom section is our annual Mother's Day list of famous
"momisms", sayings that our moms told us when we were growing up. Why?
Because Mom said so, that's why!
At our Celebrate Mom section is comedienne Anita Renfroe's wildly
popular rapid-fire rendition of momisms sung to the "Lone Ranger" theme
(aka the "William Tell Overture"). Includes song lyrics and link to the
YouTube video. It's become the most popular archived page in our site's
history, and you'll see why.
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Ever wondered how Santa Claus, Rudolph, Christmas trees and candy canes
became part of the holiday season? Why do churches light colored
candles in Advent wreaths? How did a famous soda become synonymous with
Santa? Read this fun artlcle on Christmas traditions for the answer.
The angel's proclamation of the birth of Christ in Luke 2:10-11 as
translated into several languages, including Spanish, German, Chinese,
Tagalog and Vietnamese.
An outline on the logical fallicies of relativism, how and why
relativists hold their worldview, and engaging them with the absolute
truth of God's Word and plan for salvation without attacking or
ridiculing them.
A thoughtful article on relationship evangelism and relying on the Holy
Spirit in sharing the Gospel with family and loved ones who grew up in
the church but don't have a saving faith in Jesus.
John 3:16, the most well-known verse of the Bible, translated into the
same languages as in the Christmas article above.
An LCMS pastor in Texas gives practical, Bible-centric advice on
sharing the one true God with Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and other
cult members with an emphasis on not winning an argument, but winning a
soul into the kindgom.
Just added! The failed doomsday prophecies of Harold Camping are easy to laugh at and mock, but they teach us some very serious lessons about eschatology, how people get caught up in doomsday cults, and how even mature Christians can fall under the influence of a charismatic false teacher.
A
critique of the popular self-help spirituality
phenomenon "The Secret" and its Law of Attraction. It documents their
New Age origins, utter lack of morality, empty promises, and distorted
view of God and His will for us in comparison to what God has revealed
about Himself in the Bible.
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Created in 2007 for Mother's Day,
this special
four-page section celebrates all things Mom. Includes "Total Momsense"
by Anita Renfroe, the origin of Mother's Day, why God made moms
according to their kids, and all-time famous momisms.
Created back in June for Father's Day,
this four-page section does equal time for the old man. Includes the
origin of Father's Day, what a father is, Anita Renfroe's "Dadsense",
and all-time famous dadisms.
A diabetic member of Immanuel First asked God that question when he
learned
he had the disease, but later saw the Great Physician's hand in the
seemingly unrelated series of events that led to his diagnosis and
treatment.
From a 2005 interview, the author
of The Purpose-Driven Life talks
about the purpose of life, his wife's battle with cancer, and
handling prosperity as well as struggles.
This bible study was taught by Guest Pastor Nate Loesch at the Adult
Bible Study on Father's Day, June 15, 2003. Using Scripture and a
little bit of humor, Pastor Loesch shows us how to be a better listener
in our conversations and meetings with others, and how it is a
reflection of the Good News of Christ in us.
This is the transcript of Pastor Okubo's first sermon as the pastor of
Immanuel on October 12, 2003. At this time of change he asks the
congregation and the reader to move forward and not look behind, but
warns not to change simply for change's sake
How do you confront a fellow
Christian in your own family who is entangled in sin? This article has
very throughtful advice on using God's Law and Gospel in a very
sensitive, and often uncomfortable, situation.
An explanation of the doctrines of the Protestant Reformation,
including original sin, salvation as a gift, why Lutherans believe
babies should be baptized, and how salvation by works tortured a young
Martin Luther until he discovered the true meaning of the Gospel.
Ten
simple acts that you can do to encourage and edify your
pastor, who works so hard all
year long to care for and feed the flock God has entrusted to him.
A look at the differences and strengths of traditional liturgical and
contemporary worship services in the Lutheran church and their common
goal of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in the heart language
of the people.
A new outline from Pastor Okubo's own research on the history, origin,
beliefs and strategy of the al-Qaeda terrorist group. Includes its
deviation from historic Islam, common misconceptions about Arabs and
Muslims in general, and a condemnation of terrorism by an influential
Muslim scholar.
An outline by Christian apologist Charlie H. Campbell on the Islamic faith from an apologetic point of view, covering major differences with Christianity, contradictions within the Qur'an, and how to share the Gospel to Muslims in a culturally respectful and sensitive way.
A compelling story on the persecuted church and the open access to God
that we have as Christians, from a personal friend of Pastor Okubo who
is an LCMS missionary in central Asia. The focus of the story is on an
otherwise proud Muslim woman who turns to sources other than Allah when
crisis strikes her life.
This is a book by Samy Tanagho, a former Islamic
lawyer who converted to Christianity. He shares from the Koran what it says
about Jesus, and how it actually supports the Christian view of the Son
of God. This book is written as an evangelistic message to Muslims
interested in learning more about Jesus. Portions of the book are available for viewing at this link through Google Books.
These are the notes from Pastor Okubo's Sunday bible studies on Islam,
its origins, and how to share your faith with Muslims in a friendly,
non-confrontational manner.
Based on a pamphlet by the late
LCMS president A.L. Barry, this is a concise introduction to the
history, belief and practices of the Islamic religion, including
similarities and differences with Christianity and how to share the
Gospel with our Muslim friends.
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