Another One Bites the Dust

On the blog of a friend and classmate the following very sad news is posted:

A Matter Personal and Professional

Preface: This may surprise some readers of Ask the Pastor: I’ve been asked to resign my pastorate here in Emma, Missouri. I’ll provide a bit of background in this preface and then let you read the following letter, one that I delivered verbally and in print to the congregation following the service on 7 June 2009.

Such is the way in today’s churches. While I know this to be the way of the churches today, still it grieves me deeply and even catches me off guard. While I often wondered how Pastor Snyder continued as a pastor in the LC-MS without suffering what other pastors often have suffered for the sake of the Gospel, nevertheless, it still is abhorrent to observe.

I often read Pastor Snyder’s posts and asked myself how he could compromise on certain points. I knew that he was being overly gentle, seeking to avoid causing offense. While he presented very scholarly answers to many questions, I often sensed that he was holding back rather than being truly straightforward and as confrontational as the Scriptures speak.

I always figured that this was how he managed to be perceived as “acceptable” to so many readers and to the members of the congregation that he served.

But now it is demonstrated that even he is not acceptable.

How a “Lutheran” congregation could find his articles to be “embarrassing” is beyond reasonable explanation. To explain such a response requires ignoring the title of Lutheran in connection with the name of the congregation.

I have very much appreciated Pastor Snyder and his articles. He is very careful in his research. He presents valuable information that requires much effort and study. His very obvious desire is to present the truth as God has recorded it for us in His Holy Scriptures. His other very obvious desire is that people should hear the truth so as to receive God’s grace, salvation, and comfort through hearing it.

I grieve for the members of the congregation who are having their hearts shredded by what is being done to their pastor against their will. From my own experiences I know that many in the congregation are shocked and deeply injured by what they helplessly observe being perpetrated not only against their beloved pastor, but also against their Lord, whom their pastor serves.

I grieve for Pastor Snyder, knowing that he intensely feels the pain of these members and would do anything in his power to prevent their anguish. I know that he wishes that he could take their pain for them. I know that he is questioning his every action, trying to find an answer to what he may have done to cause this. I know that he hurts for his family. I know that he agonizes over the congregation.

Yet this is not about anything that Pastor Snyder has done wrong, nor about his personality. This is regarding the very strong warning given in James 4:4.

Pastor Snyder, as you will surely be examining yourself with great scrutiny, do not forget who you are in Christ Jesus. Hold fast. Remember the promises of God in your baptism. Let this be a time that drives you even more deeply into the Scriptures and into the confidence proclaimed therein. Let go of all else and cling to the Word who is proclaimed in and through these Holy Scriptures. He will not fail you. He has never failed anyone. He is the one whom you have proclaimed. Hear for yourself the blessed Word who is your God and Savior.

Know this, too, that He has a few on reserve who will continue to be your friends and brothers. There is and always has been and ever shall be a remnant, who value the Word more than all else, and who stand in unity with all who truly depend upon Him.

God be with you, Pastor Snyder, and with all who hurt as you do. This is more than a kindly wish from a fellow man, this is the sure promise of Almighty God.

Trinity Sunday & the Athanasian Creed

At Necessary Roughness is an interesting post on Trinity Sunday. His pearl illustration, in which he compares the writing of the Athanasian Creed to the formation of a pearl, generates some helpful thinking, but it is generated by thinking that is not quite accurate.

As he indicates, a pearl is the product of covering over of something that is foreign and harmful to the oyster. But the Creed is not like this. Rather than a covering over of a foreign and harmful substance in the body of Christ with an inanimate and innocuous material, the Creed is an exposition of the all-powerful Truth, which actually exposes and expels what is foreign and harmful.

It seems that the most common response to the Athanasian Creed is to call it a refutation of the various heresies. It certainly was written in response to these, but not with refutation as the foundation. The Creed is written as an exposition of the true and catholic faith, without which salvation cannot be given and received.

When a person reads or recites this creed, what is encountered is not a refutation of falsehood, but a confession of the Truth. The Creed is very much more than a refutation. The Truth always leaves falsehood refuted, simply by the light that is generated by the Truth. In the light, that which is false simply does not match that which is true.

The Creed is written as a confession of the catholic faith by which salvation is given and received. It is written for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ, for strengthening the weak and faltering. Those who refuse to receive this Creed are surely exposed by their rejection of the Truth as it is clearly stated, but that is a secondary function of the Creed.

It is a mistake to view the Ecumenical Creeds as means of keeping heresies and heretics out of the Church. Rather, they are declarations of what the Church really is, so that people may freely come to the source of the Truth and not have the true faith stolen from them by false prophets and by people’s own misunderstandings.

Conservative Lutheran church bodies have often presented the creeds and especially the Athanasian Creed as refutations of false doctrine. Because of this much legalistic thinking has prevailed amongst those holding such. Then the notion that the Bible is counted as the Word of God and that the Creeds and the Lutheran Confessions are counted as true expositions of the Word of God is counted as being equal to and truly holding and believing and living the true faith. This is what happened with the Pharisees and the scribes and Sadducees.

The true Church does not have as its business the refutation of falsehood. Rather, it is the living body of Christ, founded upon and gathered unto the Truth. Where the Truth is taught and guarded, all that is false is naturally perceived as false and foreign. Where the activity is continual confession and exposition of the Truth, falsehood has no foothold and those who prefer falsehood expose themselves. Such shall be acknowledged according to what their own works/confessions expose concerning them and they are thereby refuted and ultimately excommunicated. But this is actually a foreign work of the true Church and of the Creeds of the true Church.

It is notable that in the Gospel accounts the Lord Jesus is not reported as having given orders to the apostles or to the others who were sent out that they should refute falsehood. Rather He sends them forth to preach the Gospel to all who will receive their peace. He said that where that peace is rejected that they should simply depart and make clear in their leaving that they are not one with those who reject their peace, which is the peace of God in Christ.

In contrast, consider the immense amounts of energy wasted in the building and defense and reclaiming of people’s church bodies. Consider the amount of time and money and energy thrown away on evangelism programs and on trying to win souls for Christ. If only those professing to be the Church of the Creeds would live by them, not counting their confession of them as anything more than the Truth at work in them. Then they would be true gatherings unto the pure Word and Sacraments, rather than gatherings of mangled church bodies where fighting for the Truth is the order of the day.

The Athanasian Creed is not written to be used as a refutation of heresies, but as a confession of the true faith by which all men must be saved. Salvation, not refutation, is the foundation of the creeds. Since this salvation is unlike any other proclamation in the world, it stands in such stark contrast to everything else that the foreign notions, when exposed to the Truth’s light are by their very nature exposed as foreign and false. Anyone who truly knows the God of the Athanasian Creed naturally cringes at the hearing of anything else and will gather only to the proclamation of the catholic faith confessed in this creed.

This is the purpose and nature of the creeds.

Pentecost

The Festival of Pentecost is a glorious day of celebrating the gift of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. With this marvelous gift the Lord Jesus guaranteed that His Church would be kept safe from the powers of sin, death, the devil, the world, and the sinful fleshly nature.

But the devil and the world and our sinful nature are still at war against the saints both as individuals and as the Communion of the Saints, the holy catholic Church on earth. Surely yesterday was a day of battle for the souls of mankind.

In our household, as we made preparations for the service, my wife and I entered into a terrible argument over something absolutely stupid. The matter in dispute was not the cause of our argument, but rather our own obstinance and selfishness. The argument was so intense that it would have stolen away from us the very faith that the day is given to nurture in us. Sin and pride and selfishness are powerful enemies of our souls. Thanks be to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who tirelessly comes to us through the engrafted Word to call us to repentance. He never stops calling to us and working within us to work conversion anew so that repentance transpires within our hearts, minds, and souls and forgiveness is received.

As we struggled, we both cried on account of our sinfulness and we cried on account of our obstinate refusal to subject ourselves to the will of God and to one another in His love. We cried because we knew that we needed the gifts that are bestowed in the divine service through the holy liturgy and through the Word that would be proclaimed in the sermon. So we knelt in prayer and prayed that the Holy Spirit would give to us the forgiveness and love to submit to Him and receive His gifts, humbling us that we might be open to Him. Then we moved forward in His love, forgiving one another and rejoicing in the renewal that He works in the liturgy, the hymns, and the sermon.

This is the life of those who are called by God to be His saints. This is what Pentecost is about. Surely the devil was mightily at work to tempt us to destroy ourselves. But the Lord is not willing to permit this and He calls to our remembrance all that He has previously taught us and continues teaching us. He comforts us with the means of grace, so that we trust that we have yet again been reconciled to God and His peace fills us and renews us once again.

This great miracle, however, can be resisted to the point of losing the gift of the Holy Spirit and the regeneration that He works in Baptism and the renewal that He works in the Communion of Christ’s body and blood. It is possible to resist or ignore the Holy Spirit’s continual urging until we finally are left with only our own thoughts, and our traditions and rituals, and our own faith that ultimately is nothing more than pretense and excuses.

Yesterday afternoon, my mother-in-law called to tell us that she had heard that George Tiller had been shot in the head and killed while attending the Sunday services at Reformation Lutheran Church. Truly the devil and his legions are at work in the world.

Should such things as this murder surprise us? Outrage and shock have been expressed as this news fills the headlines and air waves and digital signals both locally and nationally. But is this really a surprising event?

The man who killed Tiller, is obviously not thinking rightly. He obviously is not one who abides in the everlasting love of God. On the day of Pentecost, instead of God’s love, murder filled his heart to such a degree that his murderous thoughts became murderous actions.

Why?

Perhaps we should stop and consider what he has been taught by our society. Last evening my wife and I went to look for a movie to rent and we had trouble finding anything that appealed to us. We observed the large number of horror movies newly released. Most of the other movies were about murderous revenge or destructive perversions of life in other forms. Revenge and self-gratification are taught and promoted continually and much money is made in the promotion thereof.

What about the response of our nation to the terrible events of 9-11. War! More War! War with Iraq. War with Afghanistan. Threats against Iran. Were any alternative avenues pursued first? Were there even any genuine additional threats against the USA and her citizens? Were the presumed causes for the war ever found in Iraq? Yet the nation is still at war and talking of more war. Justify it with the flag. Call it patriotism. Call it self defense. How many have been killed in the name of justice and freedom and patriotism. The numbers killed by the warmongering exceeds by many times the number killed in the events of 9-11. And, like with the movies, great sums of money have been raped from the people. Some have made billions of dollars from this.

What about the 36 year reign of the abortion industry? Our government has approved and sanctioned the mass murder of millions of helpless human beings. Our society has accepted these brutal murders, these acts that are so atrocious that people become angry that pictures of such things are made public. Pro-life people who try to expose the brutality that abortionists commit daily upon these dear children are decried as extremists and insensitive and uncaring and as opposing true caring for the women and their “rights.” Yet those who actually do the things exposed in the photographs and diagrams are held in honor as gentle and caring. Those who make millions and even billions of dollars enacting these atrocities at which society cringes when the photos are shown, those who kill more than a million babies every year, those are given prestige and government protection. The police arrest those who protest against these killers. The media vilifies those who seek peacefully to expose these atrocious crimes against humanity. And all this by the same society that sanctions chainsaw murder movies and vampire movies and movies about revenge and vigilante justice.

Last night a vigil was held in the Old Town area to remember and honor the man whom some have labeled Dr. George Killer. Contrary to the laws that Dr. Tiller violated in order to perform late term abortions, even when charges were brought against him in court, the Kansas governor and the news media defended him and attacked the Attorney General with false accusations. They worked tirelessly to discredit the Attorney General. Dr. Tiller spent many dollars supporting this and supporting an alternative Attorney General who subsequently won the election, only to be found to be a law breaker himself. But the job of removing the Attorney General who was properly carrying out the law was thoroughly accomplished.

The man who killed Tiller very likely imagined falsely that he was carrying out the justice that could not be carried out by any other means. He probably also imagined himself to be a son of righteousness, a son of God, a Christian.

But so did George Tiller and the pastor and members of Reformation Lutheran Church. Yet while Tiller killed babies by the hundreds and even thousands annually, his family and pastor and the members of the congregation counted him to be a Christian and a son of righteousness. They were gathered on the day of Pentecost, pretending to be gathered as a congregation of God’s grace, mercy, and peace, pretending to worship in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, while condoning a murderer in their midst. Did they call him to repent of his actions? No, they appointed him to usher them to their pews. They joyfully welcomed him as a fellow pretender. The Greek word is hypocrite. St. John warns that such is self deception and calling God a liar. Tiller was formerly a member of a congregation in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LC-MS), but joined with Reformation Lutheran Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) because of the ELCA’s acceptance of abortion. It is notable that Dennis Rader, aka, the BTK Strangler, was a long-time member of Christ Lutheran Church in Wichita, also of the ELCA which teaches that abortion is acceptable. Does this connection mean anything? It certainly stands to remind us that where sin is tolerated and even mislabeled as honorable, the Holy Spirit is not being heeded and true repentance is not being worked.

Now the point of this is not that Tiller or his killer or the pastor and congregation of Reformation Lutheran Church are worse people than any of the rest of us. No, for the Lord tells us that anyone who is unjustly angry with a brother is a murderer. On that basis how many murders have we each committed in our hearts?

No, the point is that true faith and the peace of God that the Holy Spirit gives by means of this true faith cannot exist apart from true repentance. The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us regarding the Truth so that He works true repentance in our hearts. The work of the Holy Spirit is to call us unto Jesus to be baptized into Him and to eat the body and blood of His Holy Communion so as to be regenerated unto the Lord’s righteousness in His kingdom and to walk in His righteousness. He works continually to call us back again, for we are obstinate and turn away continually.

Regarding Tiller’s killer, many have condemned him. Regarding Tiller, many have condemned him. For Tiller, repentance is no longer possible. It is for his killer. It is for all of us killers. Like Tiller, like his killer, we all commit murder in our hearts and we even try to justify or excuse our murderous thoughts. Sometimes we even act upon these and kill with our words.

The Lord God calls to us through His means of grace to hear what the Spirit says. He calls to us to move us to true repentance so that we turn from all else to His mercy to receive from Him the forgiveness of sins and renewal into His Holy Communion. The devil, the world, and our own flesh, continually work against this. But God is greater. His forgiveness knows no limits. His love is everlasting. His healing is for our spirit, our heart, our mind, our body, and together our very being or soul. This is the ultimate lesson that we are to hear and to take with us from these tragic atrocities. Then the day of Pentecost is for us what God has already made it to be, a day of rejoicing in the gift of salvation that is in Christ Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior, who has established His Church for us and has poured out His Holy Spirit to us in His Church for our everlasting forgiveness, regeneration, renewal and comfort. Truly, no matter what else happens around us, this is cause for humble rejoicing!

Memorial Day

What is Memorial Day? Is it more than an opportunity for some to escape the mundane activities of their regular weekly work routine?

The intended purpose of the day was to remember the dedication, love, and sacrifice of those who have stood together with their fellow countrymen in defending those precious unalienable rights that are adamantly declared in the Declaration of Independence as belonging to all men on account of being endowed by their Creator. Among those unalienable rights endowed by our Creator the Declaration of Independence specifically lists three: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

With this firm belief the founders of the USA stood against the King of England and His military forces, standing together to defend and protect these Truths and Rights from those who would manipulate governing authority so as to limit or steal away entirely these Truths and Rights from men and their posterity. After the King tried to quell this uprising in the name of Truth and Liberty, after the ensuing war was concluded and the King withdrew and brought his military forces home to England, the freedom proponents set forth to establish a form of government that would keep these “self-evident Truths” and “unalienable Rights” as the very foundation upon which the United States of America would be built and kept standing.

The result of these efforts was the writing and ratification of the Constitution for the United States of America.

The belief in the government that these Articles establish for the sake of protecting and preserving such governance that all men may live and enjoy these blessings of their Creator has held the people of the USA together for many years. This belief has moved many to offer up all that they have, even their very lives, in defense against those they were told would destroy this Constitution and government. In thanks to God for such people and their devotion and sacrifice, in remembrance of these things and the value thereof, Memorial Day has been made a national holiday.

Does it still have the same meaning among us today? Surely many do still observe Memorial Day in this way, insofar as they are able. But does Memorial Day still mean the same to us as it did in years gone by? Can it still mean the same when in the hearts of many Americans the Constitution has been divorced from the Creator by whom the unalienable rights defined in this constitution exist? If the Creator who bestows the rights is denied and ignored and in many cases even defied, how long will the rights that He bestows continue to be honored for all men? How long can a nation stand when the very cause of its unity is denied and ignored and in many cases outright defied?

The change that swept over this nation within the last several generations, the change that is accelerating today beyond comprehension, is this not cause for deep concern and sincere reevaluation? Is the change that is needed really a change in the nation and its governance, or is a change of heart of those being governed the change that is really needed?

What exactly are the people of this nation holding in memorial today? How many even know? How many still believe that it matters?

Memorial Day is a day that calls the people of the nation to look and think beyond themselves and their own personal desires, to consider and remember what is best for all men and where this ultimate good finds its source. Are you able to remember? Are you willing to remember?

To what and whom will you turn this Memorial Day?

Big Banking Deceptions

For anyone with an outstanding credit card balance, be certain to pay attention to all of the mail that arrives. The big credit card companies have been sending notifications that are designed to have the appearance of junk mail. These notices contain information about HUGE hikes in APRs that take effect usually within a few weeks. The hikes are automatic unless the card holder “opts out,” which is equal to closing the account for all normal usage. Some are requiring written letters of opting out. Others can be opted out of by telephone.

Do not discard mail without opening and reading carefully. Big and unpleasant surprises could result.

Remember that these envelopes are being designed with a very plain appearance that is easily mistaken for junk mail.

Some of the credit card banks are even changing the terms on balance transfer balances that were established with fixed rates until pay down. Yes! Read carefully, for these change in term notices are not only for the purchase rates and cash advance terms, not only for late payment terms, but even for previously promised rates on which no failure to pay is incurred. The rates are being raised even when the card holder has a good payment record and has not defaulted in any way whatsoever.

Some Interesting Fun Videos

Crazy Dutch Site: Don't click on anything, turn on the sound and -- just wait: . . .
Crazy Online Shopping.




Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent

Don’t try this at home. Don’t try this anywhere!

Life Seems Bleak and Dark and Drear

Life seems bleak and dark and drear,
Until we see that Christ is near.
He is with us through His blood,
In His body washed by the flood.
Him we see, who once were blind,
Goodness and mercy now we find.
He is good, mercy endures,
Darkness and dread He now cures.
We do see beyond the dread,
Life is risen from the dead.
We, too, live in Him who died,
Lord Jesus Christ, the crucified!

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

Each year I watch The Passion of the Christ at least once during Lent and often again in Advent. Each time, having seen it probably eight or more times, I think to myself that this time it will not move me quite as deeply as the last time. I imagine that the impact upon my being will likely be less this time. I think that I will not sob in the bowels of my being. Each time I am moved as deeply as the time before, if not even more deeply. Each time I think that I want to write regarding the effect that seeing the Lord's Passion has upon me. Then I check what I wrote the last time and find it to say exactly what I want to say this time.

To view the post, it is available here.

The fact that this pierces my soul equally deeply each time and perhaps even more deeply each time is a powerful reminder that to grow as a Christian is to become more and more deeply aware of my own sinfulness and unworthiness, while simultaneously growing in my awareness of the immeasurable depth of God's love to me in Christ Jesus.

Were You There

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”

Thus go the lyrics of a Negro spiritual that many have come to accept as a song of remembrance of the Lord’s suffering and death. I never understood it. I always thought it was a silly song based upon emotionalism. Even though I do not remember my pastors ever addressing this issue, even though they permitted this song to be sung in the divine service, even as a child I was uncomfortable with what I perceived as the focus of the song.

I’ve tried researching it, and what information I have found seems to confirm that the focus is awry. As a child I always heard a sense of blaming in the song. I always heard a sense of “Oh, how terrible that they would do this to the Lord Jesus!” From what I have been able to determine, this is at least a part of what is meant in this song, but more to the point is the expression of thinking of oneself as persecuted and abused and looking to what was done to Jesus in a “poor me, poor us” kind of relationship. It seems to be in the line of “misery loves company” sort of perspective with a bit of “Oh how I love Jesus” mixed in.

The lyrics of the song as it is included in the LC-MS hymnal, Lutheran Worship, can be viewed here. The tune can be heard and three stanzas viewed here. Some information regarding the origins of the “spirituals” is available here and here. Other sources are available as well.

As I reflected upon this song this season of Lent and in the entrance into the season of Easter, I thought about the answer to the question, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” The answer is, “Yes! I was most certainly there.”

I did not nail Jesus to the tree. I did not beat him or spit upon Him. I did not lay Him in the tomb. I did not stand there crying, either. But I was there. For Jesus took my complete identity as Sinner. He took my name of condemnation and disgrace. He took my guilt and shame. He took my punishment. He cried out in my place of feeling as forsaken by God. Oh yes! I was truly there.

I have been crucified with Jesus through Baptism. In the person of Jesus, I was crucified, dead and buried. And again in connection with Baptism I rose again the Third Day unto new life in Christ. I now walk in the newness of that life that is in Him. I partake of His body and blood and am renewed in Him regularly.

What appears to be the basic premise of this song is weak and shallow at best. Nevertheless, with the right understanding, the question is one worthy of answering with the answer that God Himself proclaims in the divine liturgy. The answer is not one of “Oh, how sad that this was done to Jesus and how sad that I must suffer many things in this world.” but of “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev 5:12) And again, “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Rev 5:13)

Amen!

The Rest of Good Friday

Today is the rest or Sabbath of Good Friday. On the cross Jesus purchased for us our Sabbath from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Tomorrow we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, whereby God rose from the dead in His body to assure us that He has never abandoned mankind and never shall.

Has God ever abandoned anyone? This question is answered in the Good Friday sermon, “My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?”.

Palm Sunday: Entrance to Holy Week

Palmarum - Palm Sunday is the entrance into Holy Week. With the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem He set into play the events that would finalize the salvation for which He was born into the world as a man. The Lord Jesus was received on this day by the multitudes as the Promised One, the Messiah or Christ, the Anointed of the Lord. Yet very few understood what this meant.

The Lord Jesus most assuredly knew. It was for this reason that He took on human flesh and a human spirit. As the eternal Son of God, the Logos, the King of Glory, He came to Jerusalem on an ass, a lowly beast of burden.

After the Sunday service, we always reflect upon the pericopal readings, the liturgy, the hymns, and the sermon. After preaching the sermon I realized more fully the point of the Epistle reading and the point of Palm Sunday. St. Paul declares that the saints are to be united by the mind of Christ which is the mind of God.

And what is the mind or the way of thinking of God? He is the King of Glory who according to His very being serves. God is a servant King. From the beginning, He is a servant. Everything in the accounts of creation shows us this. God is love. He acts in love. He created the cosmos for the sake of humans. He created humans and placed us over the entire creation to enjoy all that He had created.

The mind of God is the way of providing for His beloved children whom He created in His own image. From the beginning He established all things for our sake. Knowing what would be and the choices that we would make, He established our redemption even as He created us and the world for us.

Palm Sunday is the entrance into knowing the mind of God. By His entrance into His Holy city He publicly displayed His mind toward us. He came lowly and riding on an ass, the foal of an ass. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give Himself as a ransom for many.

When He speaks of our service to Him, what does He require? His definition of service to Him is that we hear His loving voice and live in accord with the good life that He has established for us. His definition of service to Him is that we receive from Him in faith the good things that He gives for us. In other words, His definition of our service to Him is that we acknowledge His loving and fatherly desire to serve us and to receive His loving service in His love together. Service to God is simply acknowledging Him as our loving God who establishes His Holy Communion for us to enjoy together with Him and one another.

Sunday’s sermon is Philippians 2:5-11 — “This Mind Be In You”.

Sound of Music - Central Station Antwerp (Belguim)

Here is an example of the power of music to move people in their hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies.



This is a tiny example of the power of music and singing. Even though this is a silly little song, it demonstrates how much people enjoy music and the grandeur of singing.

It puzzles me that some people hear of the fact that among the many things foretold to us regarding the new life that is prepared for the saints in heaven that some people imagine that singing praises to God will be boring. Yet in this video one can clearly observe that singing is a joyful experience that is even more powerfully and overwhelmingly joyous when done in unison by all who are present.

The singing in heaven will not be silly. It will be a continuation of the joy that has begun in God’s Holy Communion of the Saints who know and live in the peace that surpasses all understanding. Just imagine what it will be like when Michael or Gabriel sound forth with the voice of an archangel. Imagine when all of the heavenly host join in. Imagine how this will resonate. Imagine how this will move the saints.

Now also imagine what life will be like when no one will ever hear said of one’s own voice, “That was terrible!” What will it be like when no one ever again fears being rejected by others? What will it be like when the sounds of music move one in the heart so as to want to hug and kiss the nearest person, and such reactions will be counted as normal so that no one ever anticipates having such a display of love to be rejected? What will it be like when every emotional response is pure and without sin so that the true freedom of a life of pure love is all that is ever experienced?

Will this not be cause for singing? Will this not be cause for singing forth with all of one’s being the praises of God and the Lamb who from eternity have established this for the saints? Could there be any more natural response?

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These two sites explain who was behind this Sound of Music treat at the Antwerp Central Station:

Centraal Station Antwerpen - Op zoek naar Maria
Antwerp central station dances to The Sound of Music

Dolphin Bubbles

Here is a fascinating video. A dear friend sent the link this week.



How long have these fascinating creatures been doing this? The Sea World staff’s comments indicate that they do not know for certain. But some intriguing observations can be made:

These animals have long been known for their intelligence and their natural affinity toward man. Even in the wild they have long been known for approaching people and seeking human attention with little playful acts and performances. Like certain other animals, these seem to carry a stronger connection to Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:18-20.

These dolphins are in a unique setting. Here they have continual contact with humans. They have the luxury of having all of their food provided for them so that they have endless time for play and discovery. Through the glass they observe the reaction of humans to their play and they receive attention and praise, which with their amplified hearing abilities they enjoy even through the glass. The video shows that they frequently look to the window to observe the humans’ reactions.

I continue to be amazed at the various ways that little remnants of the original plan of the Lord appear in the animal kingdom and certain displays of submission and even willing submission to humans, even to the point of magnificent loyalty. Sea World is a fascinating example, with not only dolphins, but orcas, seals, walruses, and penguins. Perhaps the example that most amazes me is the relationship of domesticated elephants. That such a monstrously large animal can be domesticated to be led by even small children leaves me awestruck.

In these things I see miracles that are connected to the very genesis of the world and glimpses of the glory of heaven that those who are in Christ shall everlastingly enjoy.



Dolphin Bubbles Link

Blood Donor News

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The American Red Cross sends out e-news letters to their blood donors with updated information about local needs for blood donations. In the latest news letter the following is stated:

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Who Can Receive My Blood?

At the Red Cross, we are often asked who can receive which blood types. This chart helps answer that question. Find your blood type in the left column. The blood drops to the right of it show which blood types can receive your blood. For example, if you are type AB+, then you can only give to other people with AB+ blood, but you can receive blood from all blood types. If you are O- you can give blood to people with any blood type, but you can only receive blood from people with O- blood.

Right Type

Blood typing is very important. When it comes to emergency situations, most people are given O- blood since people of all blood types can receive O- blood. Because of this, type O blood is in high demand and often in short supply. While O- is the universal donor for red blood cell products, AB- is the universal donor for plasma-containing products, including platelets.

In order to have the most blood available, we encourage people to do the "Right Type" of donation for their blood type to best fulfill the needs of hospital patients. People with O+, O-, B+ and B- blood should do a regular whole blood donation or a double red cell donation. Blood shortages often occur in these blood types. People with AB+, AB-, A+ and A- blood are encouraged to donate platelets.

When we make the best donation possible for our blood type, it helps ensure that the most compatible blood product is available for patients in need. The next time you make a donation, ask the staff more about what donation type is right for you!

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You can learn more about blood donation needs and the role of the American Red Cross at Blood is Needed and Blood Facts.

Gospel Star

The headline of this article from today’s Wichita Eagle more or less puts things into perspective.

The on-line version changes the headline.



For those who don’t get it, try reading any of the four Gospel accounts to discover who the star of the Gospel is. To make it easy, three of the four accounts declare the matter in the first sentence:

Matthew 1:1

Mark 1:1

John 1:1

But then, I suppose the contemporaneity of these accounts may escape the awareness of "Gospel Stars" and their fans.

Lenten Disappointment

This year I feel cheated by the season of Lent. Actually, I feel cheated by the circumstances that have led me to cheat myself during the season of Lent.

Circumstances have forced me to have to apply so much energy regarding running my business and earning a living that I have had to set aside the usual midweek Lenten services. Even for Ash Wednesday I was unable to muster the energy to prepare a sermon and to prepare for a service. This is most regrettable to me.

The office of preaching is truly a blessed office, and the season of Lent is, in my estimation, the most wonderful season for preaching. It is the time in the Church Year that most clearly focuses upon the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The texts are so richly laden with the preaching of our need for repentance unto faith and with the Lord’s endless calling to us to bring us to repentance unto faith that I truly regret missing these extra opportunities for preaching.

Preparation for preaching is truly a wonderful blessing. Those entrusted with the preaching office are truly blessed. For studying in preparation for proclamation is considerably different than ordinary study of the Scriptures. Sermon preparation forces a very deliberate and unavoidable subjugation to the Scriptures as the record of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It forces a subjugation to the will of God for the world and for the saints. If forces an attitude of humility to turn from one’s own thoughts to listen to the voice of God.

Sermon preparation is a very special time of struggling intensely with God in connection with what He intends to say through the Scriptures to His Church. The preacher is richly blessed through this struggle, and then is doubly blessed to be commanded and commissioned to share this blessing publicly to all who will receive it.

Yes, I feel disappointed that I found it necessary to set aside the usual blessing of midweek Lenten services this year. This is a fast that I hope never to need to observe again. Yes, this year for Lent our fast was to give up the midweek services, and for me especially, the giving up of preparing the service and preaching the midweek proclamation. Truly this has been one of the most difficult fasts that I have observed. Yet it nevertheless has served the purpose of a fast, namely, that it made me hungry for the Word and has directed my heart to my need for the Gospel. Still, when I choose to fast, I would much rather give up desserts or chocolate or meat or whatever else.

Oh Lord Jesus, come soon, and put an end to all fasting and bring us to Your wedding banquet that never ends! Amen!

The Annunciation of Our Lord

The Annunciation of Our Lord is March 25. It is nine months prior to Christmas, December 25. Aardvark Alley has a nice post on this day of the annunciation or announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would carry the Lord in her womb and bear Him into the world.

One of the striking things about this is that in most years it falls during the season of Lent. This seems to me to be especially wonderful in accord with Gabriel’s words concerning the One to be born of the Virgin, first to Mary and then to Joseph.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:18-21)

The announcement to Joseph especially emphasizes the Lenten theme: and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

How wonderful! The preaching of Jesus Christ is always the preaching of Him crucified, for us and for our salvation. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Toxic Surprises

On her morning walk, my wife saw some left-over garage sale items set by the curb as free for the taking. She found a couple of pullover shirts that would fit me and brought them home. They are really quite nice.

Upon examining them I immediately noticed something very foreign and offensive to my senses. These clothes were full of toxic chemicals. Most people are not aware of these smells as they have accepted them as part of their daily lives. Yet in our household, these are mostly foreign smells.

The clothes reeked of the perfumes and other chemicals commonly found in laundry detergents and fabric freshener dryer sheets. Additionally they reeked of cigarette smoke that was somewhat overpowered by the other chemicals in the clothing.

We both were amazed that this is what people bombard their bodies with continually. For most households, these chemicals are coating every washable piece of clothing, the bedding, the nighttime clothing, even the dishes.

For more on the toxicity of these chemicals and the levels at which people are daily being poisoned, see Toxic Chemicals Found in Common Household Products.

We have not used laundry detergent for over a decade. We have used Earth Smart laundry disks, with spot treatments of natural products like Simple Green. UL put the company out of business by decrying their product as a farce. Yet we have used the disks for over a decade and our clothes are clean, last longer, lose less dryer lint, and are free of the toxic chemicals.

Another product that we have found useful as a spot treatment is OxiClean. But even if a person chose to use the other spot treatments, the level of toxicity would be greatly minimized.

I suspect that even without the laundry disks, which add absolutely nothing to the water or clothes but claim to “restructure the water molecules’, even if only water with a tiny amount of bleach were used, most laundry needs would be satisfied without the toxic chemical residue.

Considering the fact that these residues are in direct contact with the skin, generally on a 24 hour basis, imagine the effects over long periods of time. Then add the fact that most people apply such chemicals to their underarms and other areas of very high absorption directly into the bloodstream, and the answer to many of the ailments that people today experience is found. Then to counter these daily or at least frequent ailments, various other chemicals, such as drugs for pain and respiratory complications, are purchased and consumed. Then these, taken regularly, often cause stomach and liver ailments. Again, more chemicals are purchased and consumed.

Thankfully, many of these ailments can be lessened or even eliminated by simply restricting the use of toxic chemicals in laundry and dish detergents and other commonly used sources.

Moreover, many natural remedies can be used for such things as heartburn, headaches, nasal and bronchial congestion, coughing, hemorrhoids, dry skin, burns, dry eyes, and many others.

Then is the list of things that are being added to prepared food products and even non-prepared foodstuffs. For information on some of these visit TruthInLabeling.Org.

For those who care, I post this information. On our part, we avoid these toxins as much as we are able. In case if you ask, the answer is: Yes, we have noticed a difference in our general health.

Antivirus and Firewall News

Firefox has an FAQ page regarding suggested Antivirus protection called Best Antivirus Software & Internet Security Software. On this page they link to PC Antivirus Reviews where very helpful reviews are posted regarding this group’s opinions regarding the best Antivirus software companies. PC Antivirus Reviews also provides discount coupons for the products that they review and suggest.

In the past I have used Norton and Zone Alarm. I have used Zone Alarm for quite a few years with good success. But in the last couple of years I became very frustrated with the problems that Zone Alarm caused on my system, and even more frustrated with the very poor technical support.

This week I decided to give the Sunbelt Software products a try. I checked other reviews of their products besides PC Antivirus Reviews and found much praise reported for their company and software. So I purchased the products and installed them. At first I thought, “Oh No!” I did encounter some problems. But that is not unusual with new software installation. I called the next day and spoke with a delightful fellow who was extremely helpful. The next day I had some more issues and I again received superb assistance.

Most tech support would have told me that the problems that I experienced were not areas that they covered as they were not directly related to their product. But the Sunbelt support person went out of his way to help. Moreover, he understood English as his FIRST language and therefore understood me and my issues. It was a rare delight!

Both the VIPRE antivirus and antispyware product and the Sunbelt Personal Firewall are up and running and doing very nicely. The software and hardware that was previously encountering interference from Zone Alarm is functioning beautifully so far. Moreover, my system is performing more quickly.

It is still very early in my experience, but so far I am very pleased. For anyone experiencing frustrations like the ones that I have mentioned, you may want to check out the Sunbelt Software for yourself.

Our Unselfish Leaders

Wizard of Id