Guests Deaconess Dorothy Krans - LCMS Office of National Mission, Rev. Michael Salemink - Executive Director of Lutherans for Life, and Deaconess Pam Nielsen - Associate Executive Director of LCMS Communications, talk about the March for Life and the LCMS’s presence at the March. They also share tips for those planning to attend. Learn more about the March at lcms.org/marchforlife and learn more about Eyes of Life at eyesoflife.org. Planning to attend the March? Email [email protected] to find out how to connect with other Lutherans at the March.

Guests Kelly Schumacher, liturgical artist and founder of Agnus Dei Liturgical Arts, and author Joshua Radke talk about their beautiful new book, “The Creation, the Fall, and the Promise,” available from Grail Quest Books. Kelly and Joshua share about their collaboration, the background of the book, and how the illustrations came together. Purchase you copy of the book through grailquestbooks.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/the-creation-the-fall-and-the-promise.

Guest Jennifer Hamer, Chaplain’s Wife, Group Fitness Instructor, Command Fitness (CFL) Instructor at Naval Air Station Lemoore Gym & Fitness Center and Ombudsman at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Lemoore Station, California. Jennifer shares insights into overcoming common unhealthy temptations during the holiday season, like avoiding the extra ten Christmas cookies or politely declining taking home the extra wine. She also talks about the importance of setting goals, being accountable, and practicing self control (yes, even during the holidays).

Guest Dr. Michael Eschelbach, Professor of Theology at Concordia University Irvine, talks about the Christmas favorite, "The Santa Clause." Find the 1994 film at movies.disney.com/the-santa-clause. Today’s program is a rebroadcast from December 12, 2016.

Guest Rev. William Weedon, LCMS Director of Worship, chaplain of the International Center of the LCMS, host of KFUO’s Thy Strong Word daily Bible study, and author of Celebrating the Saints, talks about his latest book from Concordia Publishing House: Thank, Praise, Serve, and Obey: Recover the Joys of Piety. Rev. Weedon shares insights into piety, pietism, and habits. Purchase your copy at cph.org/p-31340-thank-praise-serve-and-obey-recover-the-joys-of-piety.aspx.

Guest Rev. Joshua Scheer, senior pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, describes the earthly family of Jesus according to the Holy Bible. Today’s program is a rebroadcast from December 9, 2014.

Guest Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, writer, wife, and mom, talks about why the first year of marriage is so hard. The Bible clearly talks about a man leaving his father and mother in order to be one flesh with his wife, and that leaving and cleaving process is much harder than many of us realize! Combining two different ways of doing chores, two different personalities, two different wills, can be filled with angst when lines of communication and forgiveness become shut off. Deaconess Heidi talks about how to work through those times together in prayer. Find her writing and Bible studies at ilovemyshepherd.com. Today’s program is a rebroadcast from October 25, 2016.

Guests Rev. Matthew Heise, Executive Director of Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Jeff Rahn, Assistant Executive Director/Director of Operations for Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and Rev. Ted NaThalang share stories from the mission field. Rev. NaThalang shares about a month-long trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia where observances of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation took place. Our guests also discuss the 25th anniversary of LHF and an offer of materials in various languages, including Spanish, that may be useful to mission trip teams in the coming year. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Guest Allison Kieselowsky, Reading Specialist, shares insights into favorite literature for families to enjoy this Christmas season. Her list includes:

-Luke 1-2

-"Christmas Night, Fair and Bright" by Julie Stiegemeyer

-"Born on Christmas Morn" Arch Book

-"The Jesse Tree" by Geraldine McCaughrean

-"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C. S. Lewis

-"The Glorious Impossible" by Madeline L'Engle

-"The Nutcracker Ballet" and also watching the ballet

Listen to hear about these books and how to choose great books for your family!

Annmarie Wallis and Paul Ogier, Chief Financial Officer for Lutheran Senior Services,talk about how to prepare financially at any age for retirement.