EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Sharing light of Christ benefits missionaries, too

One of the great blessings we have in our congregation is the opportunity to take short-term mission trips, both in the U.S. and abroad in foreign countries.

Paul Appold

The Rev. Paul Appold is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Cleaning for Christmas, Christmas as cleansing

They were standing there waiting for me. The troubled look of concern was all over both of their faces. My wife and my oldest daughter were talking quietly to each other. I knew it wasn’t good. Then they turned to me and said, “Lady got sick last night, and it’s all over the basement!”

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Be patient, stay hydrated for life's race

On two successive Sunday mornings in early August, as I was preparing to head off for worship, I watched a segment of the Olympics men’s and women’s marathon. It is a stunning to see top runners from all over the world compete in an endurance race of that magnitude. I sat and marveled at the…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Easter is crowning achievement of all history

Every day I get a confident little voice in the back of my head that says, "It's going to be all right!" It's a voice I believe God put there because of Easter. For Christians, Easter is the crowning achievement of all history. It has a powerful impact for every day of our life.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Unborn children require our protection

I am troubled by the lack of care in our country shown to the unborn children, that is, those children who are growing inside of their mother's body.

2012 Illinois Editorial Advisory Board members

Today, we introduce new members of The Times Editorial Advisory Board. They have agreed to share their opinions on issues of local and regional interest. Look for these familiar names and faces on columns in the Forum section over the next year.

Paul Appold

The Rev. Paul Appold is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Christmas is such a fulfilling holiday

It's finally here! The day we have been waiting for! Christmas Day is here, and hopefully you can breathe a deep fulfilling breath. Today is a day where we should be able to sit back and relax. The hard work is over for us — I hope!

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: I commend lifelong, one man, one woman, marriage

Do you ever have time to think about life and the blessings you have been given?

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: How to cope in times of despair

Next Sunday will be the 10-year anniversary of the tragic day we have come to know simply as 9/11. It is a day forever etched in our minds.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Reread Genesis for a new start, a new perspective

Have you ever noticed how two people looking at the same scenery can come away with drastically different viewpoints? One person sees the beauty of the scenery, while the other sees only the flaws. It seems that in our society, the ones who see the flaws are far more common, and the ones who…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Easter shows God can overcome all problems

Today is the day Christians all over the world celebrate that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Although Christmas is often the most popular holiday of the year, Easter ranks first in importance among all of the other holidays of the Christian church year. It is the celebration of God making …

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Supporting Cambodian school is a blessing to our church

The Rev. Paul Appold, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing, stands at the entrance to Emmanuel Christian School in Broyouk, Cambodia. The sign on the gate honors Ralph Boardman, longtime principal at Trinity Lutheran School in Lansing.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Supporting Cambodian school is a blessing to our church

Sometimes life as a pastor seems to be more joyful than others. There are some hills and valleys in the life of the parish pastor. I happen to be on one of those joyful highs right now. It isn't because life is especially easy right now. It's not. It is because of what I have just experience…

2011 Illinois Editorial Advisory Board members

Today, we introduce new members of The Times Editorial Advisory Board. These individuals have agreed to share their opinions on issues of local and regional interest. Look for these familiar names and faces on columns in the Forum section over the next year.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Positively positive about the future

This past political campaign was the most negative one in my memory. The words sent back and forth across the airwaves were brutal. Often, if one would listen to the music in the background, he might think the opposing candidate was the lead character in a horror film.