Discussion Forums on the CrossTies Website - begin this month. We've been working on making available a place where our           readers can discuss issues of interest among themselves. This new feature makes that possible. We want you to check it out at       our home page under the heading Discussion Forums: http://www.CrossTiesMinistries.org/v-board/start.html.

For starters we've set up some boards related to pages already on the website. These include:

• General, Other and Miscellaneous - an all-purpose discussion board open to the general public. Here is where you may discuss any issue that comes to mind.

• Articles - We have a growing list of articles on our website. There are many issues in those articles that need to be             explored  further. Ideas need to be exchanged. For instance, what are your ideas about the Christian teaching on Creation.  Many of us get deeply involved in the age of the earth, evolution, nature of man, dinosaurs, and so forth. What are your views?

• Leadership Ideas - Last month we published a new article by Pr. Doyle Theimer. We have many other articles by Dr. Lou Jander. There are many questions about leadership styles and methods that need to be explored. Those who join this board will find many ways to help one another.

• Worship Resources - Would you like to discuss the lessons for the week? What are your views on sermons or sermon topics?  What style of preaching appeals to you? Lots to talk about.

• Beatitudes - CrossTies views the Beatitudes as the central core of who we are and what we teach. We have meditations on  the Eight Beatitudes soon to be published as The First Words of Jesus. The implications of these first words touch every teaching in the Bible. We do well to talk about them.

• The Last Times - Tim LeHaye, for instance, continues to write books in his "left behind" series. How Biblical is the teaching behind these books? What are your views? What do Lutheran pastors and teachers teach?

Undoubtedly, we have only scratched the surface. There's much to be discussed. That's why we are willing to open a Board for any  other topic related to life in our congregations. All you need to do is to drop me a line and I'll get one up and going.

How do I begin? That's easy. Go to the page indicated and click on "Directions for Use."

Up comes information about Browsers, Features and Troubleshooting. The detailed directions will help you begin.

Jump In - That's all there is to it. Click on the area that you'd like to post into and begin. You can keep your postings as revealing or as anonymous as you'd like. You can also reserve the right to edit what you post. Instructions are all there.

We'll be looking for you and your friends to join us on the Web.