It’s been a while since I've dropped you a note via this letter. Many reasons. Please know that CrossTies is still around. We have several new items to share.

 

First Words of Jesus Study Guide – Finally completed. This workbook, written by Larry Harvey, takes students through an in-depth study of the Beatitudes and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with 45 lessons, introduction and conclusion. With enough material for a year-long study, the Guide may be used individually or in a class setting. We are confident it will provide students with the kind of resource that will enable them to get a good grasp on what it means to walk with our Lord day by day. The Guide features the study of many additional Scripture texts and draws heavily upon readings from Luther and other church fathers. To order, please contact us through the website: www.crosstiesministries.org. or write to me. We'll send you a copy at once. We will have further information posted on the website shortly.

 

The Purpose Driven Life – This popular book by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA., is now being used across the country in Lutheran congregations of the Missouri Synod. We believe that we all benefit if we look at any study materials in the light of our common confession and the Bible. We are now featuring two resources for that purpose on our website.

 

1.      Forum for Discussion of The Purpose Driven® Life – Go to http://www.crosstiesministries.org/purpose.asp. To open the discussion Larry Harvey, J.D., has developed a series of critiques, based upon his own evaluations of days one through nine of Warren’s forty days of purpose. You are invited to join in the discussion on by moving to the forum where many have already expressed their views (http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/crossties2).

 

2.      Critique of The Purpose Driven® Life  -- by Vicar Steven R.J. Parks.  On the same page. Vicar Parks is currently spending his intern year at Living Word Lutheran Church of The Woodlands, under Pastor Alfonso Espinosa.

 

 

Daily Devotions – If you have not been to our website recently, you will not realize that we have a brand new look. A prominent part of that is a link to the daily devotions prepared by Pr. Scott Murray, Ph.D., for Memorial Lutheran Church, Houston, his congregation and others interested. We are delighted that Pastor Murray has given us the opportunity to share his well-written devotional materials. We especially appreciate the many quotations from Martin Luther, as well as other fathers of the Reformation and various church fathers.

 

Finally, please note on our website Members Log In. Certain Bible studies and other materials will now be available only to members. If you are already a member, write us and we'll send you your password. If you are not yet a member, follow the link to make a donation and become a member. Send a one time or a monthly donation. Above all, we need your prayers. Also, if the Lord moves you to support our work, join us. We are only able to continue because of your prayers and your love. For more information go to http://crosstiesministries.org/membership/membership_information2.htm.

 

 

 

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Dr. Alvin H. Franzmeier

CrossTies Theological Director. Write to me at   alandsyl@airmail.net