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This page is devoted to giving information about people in our church and
school families who are in the news.
We
honor those who have recently been "In the News" from our Immanuel
Family. Generally, these people are recognized because of personal achievement
but we also recognize our Lord at work in their daily lives.
He has blessed us with wisdom and skills. As we let our "light
shine" may those around us see the love and glory of Christ.
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Newspaper Column
The Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois
“March Madness in the
Bible”
(March is the month
for basketball’s “March Madness.” Basketball isn’t mentioned in the Bible,
though the Apostle Paul does write about sports and games. It might not be
“politically correct” to use the phrase “madness” to describe people’s lives
but we offer this “March Madness” quiz on individuals in the Bible who dealt
with extreme physical and emotional challenges. Check the Biblical
reference if you need help.)
1.
God warns His people about disobedience and the threat of captivity
and declares (Deuteronomy 28:34) (a) the sights they see would drive
them mad, (b) their leaders would go insane, (c) the women would remain
normal but the men would be insane, (d) none of the above, (e) all of the
above.
2.
This man pretended to be insane to confuse Achish, king of Gath, who
said, “Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here?”
(I Samuel 21:12-15): (a) Abraham, (b) Moses, (c) Joseph, (d) David, (e)
Jonah.
3.
Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, says that he applied himself to
understanding wisdom and folly and (Ecclesiastes 1:18, 2:12) (a)
insanity, (b) madness, (c) grumpiness, (d) psychology.
4.
This nation with high natural stone walls laughed at Israel’s plight
and God said, “You too, O Madmen, will be silenced” (Jeremiah 48:2):
(a) Cana, (b) Babylon, (c) Moab, (d) Philistia.
5.
In an oracle and vision on the final destruction of Jerusalem
(Zechariah 12:3-4) Zechariah sees a vision of (a) people injuring
themselves, (b) a horse with panic, (c) horses that are blinded, (d) riders
with madness, (e) all of the above.
6.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was warned by God about impending
insanity because of his wickedness and the following happened to him
(Daniel 4:24-34): (a) he lived with wild animals, (b) he ate grass like
cattle, (c) his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle, (d) his nails grew
like the claws of a bird, (e) all of the above.
7.
This group tried to take charge of Jesus because they said, “He is
out of His mind” (Mark 3:21): (a) His family, (b) the Pharisees, (c)
the Sadducees, (d) the Levites, (e) the Roman Soldiers.
8.
In the area of the Gerasenes Jesus healed a man (Mark 5:1-9)
(a) who had an evil spirit, (b) who lived in the tombs, (c) who was able to
tear chains apart, (d) who cut himself with stones, (e) who called himself
Legion, (f) all of the above.
9.
When Paul talked to this leader, the man said that Paul was being
driven insane by his great learning (Acts 26:24): (a) Felix, (b)
Agrippa, (c) Festus, (d) Bernice, (e) none of the above.
10.This man writes, “The evil I do not want
to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). What is his name? (a)
Peter, (b) John, (c) Barnabas, (d) Paul, (e) none of the above.
11.As Paul writes to the Corinthians he says
(II Corinthians 11:21-25) (a) he was not one of Abraham’s
descendants, (b) he was out of his mind to talk like this, (c) he had never
been in prison, (d) he had never been flogged, (e) all of the above, (f)
none of the above.
12.Peter describes this evil Old Testament
prophet who was confronted by a talking donkey and speaks about his madness
(II Peter 2:1-16): (a) Gehazi, (b) Balaam, (c) Eli, (d) none of the
above.
<ANSWERS: (1) a/the
sights they see would drive them mad, (2) d/David, (3) b/madness, (4)
c/Moab, (5) e/all of the above, (6) e/all of the above, (7) a/His family,
(8) f/all of the above, (9) c/Festus, (10) d/Paul, (11) b/he was out of his
mind to talk like this, (12) b/Balaam>
SCORING: 12 correct –
You win the tournament!; 11 or 10 correct – You don’t need a “bye”, 9
correct – “March” up to the prize table; 8 or less correct – Don’t get mad;
you could do better.
The
Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg (Pastor Switz) is Senior Pastor at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois. His E-mail is
wschwichtenberg@immanuellutheranfreeport.com.
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Newspaper Column
The Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois
“I Am Thankful”
(This Thanksgiving
Day... What are you thankful for? Many of the Old Testament heroes,
patriarchs and matriarchs had much to be thankful for. See if you can
determine which character is being described. Use the Biblical reference if
you need help.)
1.
I am glad that God gave us a promise of a Savior after our sinful
eating got us kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Who are we? (Genesis
3:23-24, 4:1) (a) David and Bathsheba, (b) Abraham and Sarah, (c) Adam and
Eve, (d) Solomon and Sheba, (e) Moses and Zipporah
2.
I am thankful that even though I killed my brother, God spared my
life and gave me a protective mark. Who am I? (Genesis 4:9-16) (a) Adam,
(b) Cain, (c) Abel, (d) Enoch, (e) Seth
3.
I am thankful that God rescued me, my wife, my three children and
their spouses during the great flood. Who am I? (Genesis 6:9, 17-18) (a)
Joshua, (b) Solomon, (c) Enoch, (d) Abraham, (e) Noah
4.
I am thankful that even though I laughed at the prospect of having a
child in my old age, that God still kept His promise to me. Who am I?
(Genesis 18:11-15) (a) Eve, (b) Sarah, (c) Rebekah, (d) Rachel, (e)
Bathsheba
5.
I am glad that God stopped my father from sacrificing me, his
firstborn son. Who am I? (Genesis 22:9-12) (a) Isaac, (b) Ishmael, (c)
Issachar, (d) Isaiah, (e) Isis
6.
I am thankful that God used Abraham and His angels to rescue me and
my family from a sinful city but I’m not very thankful that my wife turned
back and became the “salt of the earth.” Who am I? (Genesis 19:16-26) (a)
Zoar, (b) Abimelech, (c) Lot, (d) Laban, (e) Marks
7.
I am thankful my brothers sold me into slavery because, ultimately,
it was a rescuing my family during a severe famine. Who am I? (Genesis
50:19-20) (a) Benjamin, (b) Issachar, (c) Joseph, (d) Caleb, (e) Jacob
8.
I am thankful God used me to lead His people out of Egyptian
slavery. Who am I? (Exodus 3:10-11) (a) Pharaoh, (b) Moses, (c) Aaron,
(d) Joshua, (e) Jeremiah
9.
I warned the people that they needed to be thankful and not forget me
after their stomachs were filled and they were secure in their homes. Who
am I? (Deuteronomy 8:10-20) (a) Moses, (b) Baal, (c) Lord God, (d) David,
(e) Ezekiel
10.I am thankful that I got to lead God’s
people into the Holy Land after the death of our longtime leader, Moses.
Who am I? (Deuteronomy 34:9) (a) Joshua, (b) Aaron, (c) Miriam, (d)
Joseph, (e) Noah
11.I am thankful that I was able to hide the
Hebrew spies who were getting ready to secure the Promised Land. Who am I?
(Joshua 2:1-6) (a) Sarah, (b) Rahab, (c) Hagar, (d) Haggai, (e) Zerapath
12.I am thankful that my husband, King
David, married me despite our questionable first meeting and his subsequent
sinful actions. Who am I? (II Samuel 11:2-4, 11:26-27) (a) Sheba, (b)
Eve, (c) Rahab, (d) Miriam, (e) Bathsheba
13.It wasn’t turkey but I am thankful God
fed me with bread delivered by ravens. Who am I? (I Kings 17:2-4) (a)
Elisha, (b) Jeremiah, (c) Ezekiel, (d) Elijah, (e) David
14.I am thankful that God kept telling my
prophet husband to “buy me back” from a life of harlotry as an illustration
of God’s continuing mercy. Who am I? (Hosea 1:2-3, 3:1) (a) Gomer, (b)
Bathsheba, (c) Sarah, (d) Leah, (e) Rebekah
15.I am thankful that God closed the mouths
of lions when I was tossed into their den for disobeying an antireligious
edict. Who am I? (Daniel 6:19-22) (a) Isaiah, (b) Jeremiah, (c) Ezekiel,
(d) Elijah, (e) Daniel
<ANSWERS: (1)
c/Adam and Eve; (2) b/Cain; (3) e/Noah; (4) b/Sarah; (5) a/Isaac; (6) c/Lot;
(7) c/Joseph; (8) b/Moses; (9) c/Lord God; (10) a/Joshua; (11) b/Rahab; (12)
e/Bathsheba; (13) d/Elijah; (14) a/Gomer; (15) e/Daniel
SCORING: 15 or 14
Correct – Aren’t you thankful that you took the quiz? 13 or 12 Correct –
Aren’t you thankful for the answers you knew? 11 or 10 Correct – Aren’t you
thankful that there are reference books to help us learn more about God’s
Word?
The
Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg (Pastor Switz) is Senior Pastor at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois. His E-mail is
wschwichtenberg@immanuellutheranfreeport.com.
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Newspaper Column
The Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois
“Winter and Cold in
the Bible”
(We need no reminder
of cold, snow, and the wintery weather of this time of the year. What does
the Bible say about this? See if you can determine the weather related
questions being described. Use the Biblical reference if you need help.)
1.
After the flood God promised Noah and the people of the world that
the following would never cease (Genesis 8:22): (a) seedtime and harvest,
(b) cold and heat, (c) summer and winter, (d) day and night, (e) all of the
“above”.
2.
When God was speaking to Moses about how he should lead the people
Moses put his hand in his cloak and (Exodus 4:6) (a) found that it was white
like snow when he pulled it out, (b) fiery red, (c) gnarled and shriveled,
(d) none of the above.
3.
The chilling affects of leprosy in causing skin to be “as white as
snow” was not lost on Gehazi as he (II Kings 5:27) (a) was filled with fear
and immediately died, (b) received the leprosy that was on Naaman for the
rest of his life, (c) prayed and the leprosy was immediately removed, (d)
became the famous “leprous prophet.”
4.
In Psalm 51 (verse 7) King David prays that he would be cleansed with
hyssop and that when washed he would be (a) released by the rain and sleet,
(b) restored from sickness, (c) whiter than snow, (d) forever forgiven.
5.
God promises that the rain and the snow that come down from heaven
(Isaiah 55:10) (a) do not return without watering the earth, (b) make the
earth bud and flourish, (c) cause seed to come to the sower, (d) help to
produce bread for the eater, (e) all of the above, (f) none of the above.
6.
The prophet Daniel had a glimpse of God in heaven and saw that
(Daniel 7:9) (a) His clothing was as white as snow, (b) the hair on His head
was white like wool, (c) His throne was flaming with fire, (d) He had wheels
which were blazing, (e) all of the above.
7.
Jesus talked about not “losing our reward” when we are able to give
this to someone (Matthew 10:42): (a) a snowball, (b) shelter for the
winter, (c) a cup of cold water, (d) flakes of new fallen snow.
8.
Jesus has a major confrontation about His divinity with the rulers
and religious leaders of the people in the winter at the following “feast”
(John 10:22): (a) Passover, (b) Hanukkah, (c) Day of Atonement, (d)
Unleavened Bread, (e) Dedication.
9.
Toward the end of his earthly life in His discourses Jesus warned
that because of the increase of wickedness the following would happen
(Matthew 24:12): (a) love of most would grow cold, (b) the earth would
enter an ice age, (c) the earth would become hot, (d) attitudes would
“simmer”, (e) none of the above.
10.In warning of the end times Jesus says
that we should pray (Matthew 24:20) (a) it would not take place in winter,
(b) that snow would fall to quench the heat, (c) that sleet and rain would
cool the earth, (d) that God would protect us with holy snow.
11.When the Apostle Peter was confronted by
the soldiers after the arrest of Jesus people were (John 18:18): (a)
shoveling snow in the entryway, (b) chipping ice off the stones, (c)
standing around a fire because it was cold, (d) sheltering themselves from
the rain which was falling.
12.The clothes of this person at the Tomb on
Easter Sunday was as “white as snow” (Matthew 28:3): (a) Mary Magdalene,
(b) Jesus Christ, (c) Simon Peter, (d) Apostle John, (e) Angel.
13.In his account in the book of Acts (Acts
28:2) the writer Luke talks about the people on the island of Malta (a)
staying indoors because of the cold, (b) building a fire because of the rain
and cold, (c) swimming in the cold water, (d) using chunks of coal for a
brazier.
14.In his writings to the Corinthians the
Apostle Paul says that he (II Corinthians 11:27) (a) often went without
sleep, (b) knew hunger and thirst, (c) often went without food, (d) had
often been cold and naked, (e) all of the above, (f) none of the above.
15.To the Laodicean church God spoke and
said that they were (Revelation 3:15-16) (a) greasy and curdled, (b) steamy
and sweaty, (c) neither hot nor cold, (d) frigid like ice, (e) hot like
peppers.
16.In writing to Timothy Paul tells him that
he hopes to see him before (II Timothy 4:21) (a) the fall rain, (b) the snow
showers, (c) the winter, (d) the spring.
<ANSWERS: (1) e/all
of the above; (2) a/found that it was white as snow; (3) b/received the
leprosy that was on Naaman; (4) c/whiter than snow; (5) e/all of the above;
(6) e/all of the above; (7) c/a cup of cold water; (8) e/Dedication; (9)
a/love of most would grow cold; (10) a/it would not take place in winter;
(11) c/standing around a fire because it was cold; (12) e/Angel; (13)
b/building a fire because of the rain and cold; (14) e/all of the above;
(15) c/neither hot nor cold; (16) c/the winter.
SCORING: 16 or 15
correct – You have the warmth and comfort of knowing God’s Word, 14 or 13
correct – You are neither hot nor cold; 12 or 11 correct – Things are a bit
chilly but study of God’s Word will warm you up; 10 or less correct – You
need to get closer to the fire!
The
Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg (Pastor Switz) is Senior Pastor at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois. His E-mail is
wschwichtenberg@immanuellutheranfreeport.com
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