Lutheran Witness: January 2012

Reflecting on the barrage of disasters in 2011 brings to mind the plea of the Psalmist: “How long, O Lord, will you look on?” (Ps. 35:17). Between floods and fires, earthquakes and tsunamis, tornados and droughts, famines and a nuclear power plant scare, many of us were left with questions.

In the first magazine of the new year, we answer those why and how come questions. Kim Plummer Krull’s “In Time of Need” recaps the LCMS’ response to 2011 disasters and explains how your donations have made it possible to show Christ’s love through works of mercy to those suffering. The Rev. Larry Vogel explains God’s alien work—showing His love through chaos and confusion—in “God Creates Calamity.” And get caught up on the work of Lutheran Malaria Initiative both in a “10 Minutes with . . .” interview with Bishop Walter Obare of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya and in Martha Mitkos’ “LMI: In Our Life Together.”

Our why and how come questions may not be answered in this life, but they don’t really need to be. All our questions have already been answered in Christ. And because “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28), that is enough.

From the President: Why Malaria?

From the Editor: To the reader

Features:

The Gospel in Chile — Elizabeth M Truong

God Creates Calamity — Larry Vogel

In Time of Need — Kim Plummer Krull

In Christ for the Church & the World — Barb Below

LMI: In Our Life Together — Martha Mitkos

Departments:

10 Minutes with . . . Bishop Walter Obare — Adriane Dorr

Letters

Family Matters Families in times of disasters — Rick Armstrong

Q & A — Rev. Dr. Jerald C. Joersz

This month in church A Prayer Priority — Greg Wismar

Notices

Searching Scripture Epiphany of mercy — Matthew Zickler

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