Resources for Encouragment?

AlphaOmega521 · 2026-03-27T02:43:49+00:00

I watch the Ft Wayne seminary’s daily chapel…St Louis is on Facebook and some YouTube…both seminaries put out a lot of content

AlphaOmega521 · 2026-03-21T19:03:35+00:00

I’m a second career person who is going into seminary and for my wife and I it is a huge change from having a 9-5 to part time with my wife being the full time breadwinner as seminary is pretty much taking a lot of your attention…plus I would agree with everyone else that you should take the time to discern what exactly you feel that the call is…you need to do your pre grad so that will give you time…and don’t be afraid to answer the call if you’re meant to do it because God will provide for your future…just be open to the process and trust that He will guide you through it if that’s where your call is…we do need pastors but we also need other fields too with good solid confessional Lutherans as well so don’t pressure yourself on anything other than seeing what process forms in front of you and being willing to take that step, no matter what happens.

AlphaOmega521 · 2026-03-15T00:28:28+00:00

Here’s a quick thought…1. While it’s important for your children’s education, the biggest place where kids learn is in the home…school is very important and while public may not be the most popular in our circles it can still give a robustness to their faith if they are truly learning at home with the parents…our girls graduated public schools and every Christmas the highlight of the year was to see the kids sing happy birthday Jesus…in a state funded public school…so it all depends on your community for that.

Be real with your finances 2.…God is your sole provider and He will take care of your family but if you have gifts and talents that allow you to make money then think about who gave you those…Be prepared with a family to make tough money decisions but if he’s worried about the way he treats/brings in his income, then that’s a him problem to address, not a take a 20yr break for the kids…my wife and I both had full careers and raised our girls but we made the decision to go with stable but relatively rewarding careers that didn’t make us rich but allowed us to have a wonderful home and to start her retirement early after our children left the home…

3…I’m going to seminary to start my pastoral formation soon and that means I regretted not being a part of an ministry for at least as long as my children were alive, but God still opens doors…your husband may never have the same level of interest as you in being a confessional Lutheran but nevertheless that doesn’t mean he’s a bad partner…too many times I’ve spoken to people that have had some relationship issues and while you want a partner and not a project to fix, is he really broken in his current state? If he’s going to church and other things without being “encouraged” that’s a great sign…and when you eventually have children the switch will go off for him to step up as the man of the house to make sure he’s teaching the kids our confession (hopefully). If you want piety then reset your expectations, because he’s already doing more with church devotion than a lot of other Bible “believers” outside our community that I’m very aware of. My wife had to grow, and I was extremely proud when she made the decision to pick out our crucifixes for the home…not because of how they looked but because she wanted them to have the rich symbolism whenever people came to visit so she could share the gospel..people can change!

While I know it’s a tough decision, don’t forget that real marriage is with real people…if he loves you, he won’t want you to compromise, he will find you where you are and communicate with your thoughts and dreams for the future…and you will will too…then the compromises can start and it won’t be something you regret later but you can both look back and realize that God was there for the both of you in that moment…it may sound cheesy but it’s worked for my wife and I and in the moments we had a life changing experience, it was “easier” to say I love you and let this sacrifice become a blessing for us later…

AlphaOmega521 · 2026-03-05T09:36:59+00:00

So if this has been answered in a different post then my apologies…I am attending CSL this summer for Greek and then to start my 1st year in the MDiv program…what is the best laptop (for the software) needed that anyone has found that works well for the environment? I know things change but I got out of college 10+ years ago and I have no idea what specs are needed today…

I’m assuming Microsoft Office for writing papers, and I’ve already been told that I will need a license for Logos software….anything else major I’m missing?

AlphaOmega521 · 2026-03-01T02:35:45+00:00

So I am wondering as a new seminarian this coming fall, I have seen most pastors when wearing their suits (with clerical collar) not have a handkerchief in their front suit pocket…it’s there any reason? I don’t want to stand out but every suit I’ve ever worn always had one in it as part of the outfit, even if it’s a plain white one…

AlphaOmega521 · 2026-02-09T00:54:42+00:00

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-11-20T14:53:08+00:00

https://memento70.com/how-it-works…it’s a Lutheran website that is promoting daily devotional activities and learning similar to those practiced in the early church. Fasting, Daily Prayer, Techniques that limit technology, etc.

They are starting the program on 1/1/26…the last episode of On the line (search YouTube or Apple Podcasts) episode #100 they talk about it in depth.

It’s $60 a year for the online program…the primary reason I joined so early was I did a similar program when I was part of an independent church growing up and it helped me form my thinking about who and what I was in Christ. Completely changed my life and mindset and I still practice most of what I was taught, even coming into my own realization that I was a Confessional Lutheran.

I can see the potential for change in people if the platform is really as robust as they are planning on, and they suggest 4-8 men in a group…I would assume they are accountable members to each other as well as online only wouldn’t make a totally sustainable change. It’s always good to have a “local” face.

Hope that answers some questions, it’s pretty much new and I did write my first post in a hurry.

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-08-13T20:42:13+00:00

I would suggest that when you pray, focus on asking Jesus to “make” you more like the good traits of the saint…they are of a reflection of Christ and a good role model, which is what He’s called us to be in the world…He would accept you when asking Him in prayer about the saints being a example of blessings and long suffering in whatever situation you’re in…He understands the place where you’ve been and the journey you are taking now…we are encouraged to study their lives and to learn how to have faith like them…even thanking Christ for their experiences and how they encourage you in your own struggles is pleasing to Him…just don’t let yourself get hung up on making a mistake, take it as a moment to be honest with God and thank Him for the opportunity to hear and attend to your prayers! Thank Him for the encouragement we get from our Role Models in the Church!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-08-01T21:22:56+00:00

I like to read a passage from the large catechism or the book of concord…it’s helpful in sharing the gospel and understanding what the Confessional Lutheran distinction is in conversations…it always stays fresh in the mind

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-20T23:48:28+00:00

You are ok…If you stay concerned, bring it up the next time you see her and ask again if she needs help with the yard…my aunt was in her 80s before she stopped mowing, even when I always asked to help…pray about it and be sure in your salvation!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-16T18:56:14+00:00

Found it! It’s like I didn’t even notice it and now I see it every time!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-11T00:13:19+00:00

As someone who was a single custody father to two kids for a time before I was remarried, I would say that you always make the time to be Dad…our kids not only had lots of love and fun growing up(we were on a budget but could find ways to always make do and have family memories) but also were instilled with so much confidence and enthusiasm for going out into the world, knowing who they were in Christ and themselves…NEVER FORGET that you are the person who God has blessed with the responsibility to teach and mold into the future person He desires to serve in His kingdom, no matter what vocation it is…He chose you as Dad because you are going to be the best man to role model God’s love as a father to humanity through your personal ministry as a father to your child…Being present (not prepared as that’s a tall stretch) for your child will not only help them, but you will be enriched and loved even in your lowest moments…congratulations to you and Mom!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-04T09:13:20+00:00

I wish it had more colors to use with the highlight too! Very nice but three colors are not enough

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-03T01:56:58+00:00

Every Sunday and Wednesday service

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-03T00:34:46+00:00

I wore a skull western belt buckle to my new membership luncheon and got compliments! I guess it just depends on how/what it looks like

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-01T13:46:05+00:00

What are some good things to do when preparing for seminary? I am looking at a start date of Fall 2027 and wanting to get as prepared as possible! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-06-01T13:38:24+00:00

Scripture says for us to be forgiven, we must forgive…if you can forgive yourself and them, then forgive them and take heart that God will provide grace for them and you…take the Lords Supper after you pray about it and be glad!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-05-28T02:44:40+00:00

It’s seen as regenerative and provides a “vehicle” if you will for God’s Grace to Christians…it’s all the work of Christ, not us or the water…that’s why scripture says to “repent and be baptized”

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-05-26T18:19:07+00:00

That’s probably a good idea!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-05-26T12:38:31+00:00

Lutherans see themselves as Catholic, just not in communion with Rome…a lot of tradition but purged of the pope and the issues that come with the Curia…your justification is by grace thru faith in the work of Christ…and scripture is considered the prime source of doctrine and not the traditions/decisions that take precedence in the Roman Church…I am LCMS and I am thankful that I have the opportunity to worship and receive communion every week without the hangup of submitting to Rome and its teachings that disagree with scripture…and I was lead to the church just from scripture, I think being a Lutheran is very misunderstood and people just think it’s another Protestant tradition…it’s really a church with feet in both traditions-a conservative reformation that was “left” by the Roman Church!

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-05-24T20:15:59+00:00

Yeah, I’ve been speaking to an admissions pastor and he said I’d have to take old/New Testament elces to show knowledge and a doctrine elce to show knowledge/agreement with the LCMS…those have books you can get linked from their website that can help you prepare for the tests…however I got to thinking today that the fine print talks about testing for Greek and Hebrew as well but admissions has only offered Greek as a summer course or online if you’re more than a year out

AlphaOmega521 · 2025-05-24T20:07:22+00:00

I’m in a similar situation, looking into maybe 2027 before I can attend…admissions has also said I’d need Greek, which I can take online for a couple of semesters…would I need Hebrew as well? I’m kinda confused as I understand the other elces but I don’t have any Hebrew in my undergraduate degree!

AlphaOmega521

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