Engaged, 43 Years Ago, Today

Pastor and Mrs. Gregory L. Jackson

We were shopping, innocently, at Sam's Club. On the way out was a set-up for portraits, one day only. $10.

We came back for the sitting and found out the pick-up day would be December 9th, which is when we became engaged.

They started on the big package of prints, little realizing that I could share one print with 1270 Facebook friends, then with opponents from five or six Lutheran groups - on Ichabod.

We had lunch at our favorite restaurant - Rubiae's - and shared a chocolate moose. I said to the waitress, "This moose is a little small, eh?"

The chef is one of the best anywhere, but he charges no more than a franchise restaurant like Red Lobster.

We had to buy some frames and matting. I was reading the new book on Moline's Riverside Cemetery in the parking lot of the frame shop, perched high above the highway. Chris mentioned that to the owners. The wife said she went to Augustana, and they both lived in the Quad-Cities.

Crime Shocker - There Is a Penalty for Exposing the Syn Conference

Animation Explains Mark Hanson and ELCA

Why do WELS and Missouri work with these people, who have abortion for any reason built into their health plan?

Expressive National Anthems, Dramatic Benedictions, Koine, and Other Felonies

Busta Gut is the ultimate entertainer, combining baby appeal with an edgey look.

I have little musical talent, but years of flute lessons, playing in band and orchestra, and listening to great music have taught me a few things.

Some rare musicians can take a standard work and build a variation on it, but few are capable. Thus we have the standard singing of the National Anthem, roughly translated as:

Oh whoa say can you sah-ee?
BYE-ya the dawn's earl-ee latt?

I can tell the Star Spangled Banner will be assaulted yet again, two notes into the effort, when another Country Western wannabee launches into the song. Simply singing it as written would require far more talent and discipline than howling the lyrics.

Many are captivated by the sound of their own voices and the effect of their hog-calling over a 10,000 watt sound system, so they muff the words. They want to squeeze all the drama out of

the lan-yand of the FREE-EEEEEEEE!

Creating a second syllable for free and going up a notch can be an excellent chance to display the flaws of the human voice.

Confusing "land of the free" with "home of the brave" turns torture into a rout. That happens often with the CW version of the Anthem.

Emotional Benediction
Misled by Robert Schuller, many young seminarians imagine that a dramatic benediction will have more meaning for everyone.

Every minister has been lulled into listening to himself and thinking, "Boy I sound good today." Usually memorable mistakes come from that lapse. Or they may think ahead to lunch and give this famous benediction, never forgotten. Making the sign of the cross, Carl Lawrenz intoned, "Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed." People still chuckle over that.

I was watching the end of a service when a Mequonite launched into a Schulleresque benediction. He was transported with joy as he drew upon the potential of each sound, as in the Loooooord buh-LESS you... He became hopelessly lost on the third clause and ended his performance in dismay and confusion.

Performance liturgy makes badly educated seminarians think they can make the Word of God more relevant by their delivery. They draw attention to themselves and flame out. The fundamental flaw is their implicit denial of the efficacy of the Word. No wonder many think that strutting around the chancel during the sermon or rushing the audience (as in tennis) will improve their delivery.

Koine
Jeske's New Age rock band, Koine, is being heavily promoted across the Wisconsin and Missouri sects. They play upbeat versions of hymns.

Playing a hymn as written, at the proper tempo, is the great challenge for church musicians. Lutherans should find it ironic that a tiny college needs an $8 million cathedral for proper Word and Sacrament worship training, yet imports a rock band to entertain the troops.

Like the felonies noted above, the rock version of a hymn draws attention to the performance rather than the Word of God content.

ELCA Proves That Threats Do Not Work

In Western IA synod: Bethany in Laurens, former LCA, taking second vote on Dec 12.

Question: Was Morningside, Sioux City former LCA? They left for LCMC a few years back.

The reality is that the majority of former LCA congregations in Iowa are clustered in SE Iowa. I gave a presentation at tiny Munterville Lutheran west of Ottumwa on Nov 14, despite a heavy-handed attempt by the SE Iowa synod to scare me off (got a phone call from an assistant to Bishop Burke, who told me if I made the presentation that Bp Burke would inform Bp. Ullestad that I was engaging in activities contrary to the interest of the ELCA. I took the phone call the same time I was holding a letter from Bishop Ullestad censuring and admonishing me--1st level of discipline--for my association and actiivity (sic) on behalf of a body, the NALC, that was schismatic to the ELCA...threats, threats, threats...all that is left in the ELCA arsenal is the attempt to intimidate and coerce...).

Ken

ALPB

---

" ... the ELCA is willing to try this pure lunacy out of love for one another ..." - Brian Stoffregen

---

Forgive me if some of the info below has already been reported this thread is a pretty long oneat this point.

The following link to the Northeast Iowa Synod lists abiut eleven churches which have all solidly voted on the first ballot to leave the ELCA

http://www.neiasynod.org/synod_news/CongregationalVotes.asp

I also note that it is interesting to read the latest listing of NALC churches (type NALC Lutheran on the search engines and it will give you the link.) To me the listing indicates several clear clusteirng (sic) of congregations which should bode well for the future of the NALC in terms of building awareness of it and cooperative ventures among its congregations. The presence of congregations from both Iowa and South Dakota indicates that NALC is building a more diverse membership of congregations than some suspected would be the case, and the rapid growth towards a hundred congregations should help it meet its budget needs quite handily or so I would think. it is also interestuing (sic) to see how just as Word Alone helped to birth CORE and LCMC that now CORE is helping to birth NALC and I imagine that NALC will be able to establish its distinct identity fairly quickly given the growth it is expereincing (sic)and the low overhead for its national staffing and office. Meanwhile Word Alone continues to expand its influence via Sola Publishing and other ventures, it is in a transition phase, rapid adaptation is having to take place on a number of fronts. I also note that the AFLC is picking up a few congregations still a look at its growth pattersn (sic) over the years would indicate a small but healthy church body that has steadily expanded around much of the country.

ALPB

Mid-Week Advent Service

Norma Boeckler


Advent, 2010

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Mid-Week Advent, Thursday, 7 PM Central

The Hymn # 558 All Praise to Thee 4.44
The Order of Vespers p. 41
The Psalmody Psalm 100 p. 144
The First Lection 1 Timothy 3:16
The Second Lection Luke 1:46ff
The Sermon Hymn #251 We All Believe 4.87

Merciful, Gracious God

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44
The Collect for Peace p. 45
The Benediction p. 45
The Hymn # 70 Hosanna 4.55

KJV 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory.

KJV Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Merciful Gracious God

There is only one truth, and God reveals that truth to us. He is the source of all truth. Any falsehood is against His nature. For instance, when people claim the universe evolved--or that Creation and evolution blended somehow—that is an attack on the nature of God as Creator.

What is given to evolution as a skilled designer, randomly over time, is taken away from God the Creator.

Nothing helps us more than to start with God as the Creator. When we meditate on the Holy Trinity at Creation, Gen 1:1, everything else can be seen in perspective. People look for purpose, to comprehend many different mysteries, and Creation is the foundational mystery.

The term mystery is used for the teaching of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. Although every person has some sense of God and Creation, the actual Creation by God through the Word, in six 24-hour days, is revealed by the Holy Spirit alone, and not discerned by human intellect and reason.

The relationship between the Word and the Holy Spirit is revealed by the Scriptures and adds additional insight. God works through the Word at all times and always accomplishes His purpose.

Recently I saw a photo of pilgrims in Tibet, walking toward their special place of worship, the palace of the Dalai Lama. They were crawling on their hands and knees to get there, because it is a practice of their religion. It probably gave them enlightenment and atoned for their sins, but it was pitiful to see. People live in darkness and suffer for the paganism they hope will save them.

The truth is revealed in the Word of God. That truth emphasizes that God is merciful, loving, and gracious.

The novelist Wm Makepeace Thackeray had a great saying in Vanity Fair, and it applies to our view of God. He said, “If a man frowns at the world, the world frowns back. If he smiles at the world, he finds it a jolly companion.” Luther said much more about God. Those who understand through faith the true nature of God realize how He is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”

Luther was often plagued with the weight of his responsibilities, and he suffered many spiritual onslaughts. He called them “Anfectungen” in German. He overcame them by dwelling on the true nature of God and by enjoying the blessings of life, his large family, and his monastery-home filled with guests.

If we condensed Luther’s thought into a few paragraphs, it would be focused on the Gospel of forgiveness through God’s grace. Luther knew how burdensome it was to try earning God’s forgiveness through works. He suffered physically from those efforts as a monk, but more importantly he suffered emotionally. He saw the loving, patient God as stern, unforgiving, and always angry at him for his many short-comings. The more he confessed and engaged in mortification, the more he hated God.

Mary’s prayer, the Magnificat, is one of the most beautiful poems in the Bible. I heard a skeptical professor make fun it, as if a maiden could not have composed such a masterpiece. Mary was brought up on the Word of God and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Later I often thought of how little the professor understood from the Magnificat. If the first response is “I don’t believe its origin,” then the entire work is in doubt and subject only to criticism. That is also a good illustration of how the Word blinds and hardens people who handle it as if they are juggling bright colored objects at a circus. I have seen swords, chain saws, hammers, and many other objects tossed around. When people juggle the Word, they consider themselves very entertaining. But the more they juggle it, they less they regard it. Finally they hate it and only mention it to attack it and God. The fault is not with the Word but with the juggler.

That is why many well-meaning rationalists start out by explaining the Word according to human reason and end up rejecting it on the same basis. If the Word must be reasonable to man, the mysteries are gone. The Trinity becomes One God (one person). Jesus becomes a Good Teacher. Holy Communion becomes a Memorial Meal. Good works are necessary because faith does not matter. Man must make up for his terrible sins because he is guilty and there is no salvation outside of those redeeming works. Thus the rationalist puts himself on the road to Tibet, crawling on his hands and knees for enlightenment and atonement. Very sad and very common.

Only God can reveal His true nature, and that can come only through His revelation in the Scriptures. We need to know what they say and to interpret them in their plain, simple words. The truth of the Word is available to everyone who reads the Word of God. The orthodox Christian faith does not require a single book or commentary to help it, since everything is revealed plainly. However, the Confessions and faithful books help us by guiding us past the previous errors, which are so often repeated. Clergy must be students of the Word and doctrine to maintain this truth.

Mary’s song of praise is instructive because it is so true. She was nothing in terms of status but is now the most important feminine figure in the world.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Some rail against her. Others want to make her another member of the godhead. She was humble and faithful, so she suffered terribly but also received great homage from mankind. Mary would say to people today, “The Magnificat is about God, not about me.”

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

People doubt God’s love and His power. This is a clear confession of the might of God and power to do great things, which we can hardly imagine. He is answering our prayers before we even ask them (Isaiah) and He gives us far more than we can even ask for or imagine (Ephesians).

God’s name is holy because there is no one who compares. When we confess His name, we also mean that simply using His name makes Him listen to us. We can and should call upon Him in every time of trouble and distress. Because of His love and power, He delivers us from trouble – beyond our ability to comprehend. Afterwards we see, yes, only God could do that.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Fear is an expression of respect. Lack of respect is often displayed in a foolish display of bravado, such as the skeptic who makes fun of the Scriptures and asks why God has not struck him down. Perhaps God is giving him time to repent. A believing family is given many blessings unknown to others.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

God can and does overturn the mighty in a second. The prouder they are, the faster they fall. At the same time, He raises up the humble and faithful.


53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

The contrast is great. He cares for the hungry and takes away from the greedy.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

His promises are forever, never broken, never forgotten. Our faith is built upon all the Promises of God, from first promise of the Messiah in Genesis 3.

Monkey Business Statement of Faith

Mother yelling: "Are you trying to make my children purpose-driven?"



First - The black version will serve as the control, the standard, the norma normata. The second one, in blue, is from a different denomination: rock-ribbed, orthodox, strict in followship principles. Yes, they will follow anything that is not Lutheran.

ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has existed from eternity. Though there is only one God, he is three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal in power, authority and majesty. -- Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

ABOUT MAN
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God´s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates man from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2.

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People were originally created in the spiritual image of God and were sinless and holy. Since the fall of mankind into sin, this is no longer true. Now, all people are born sinful and are constantly inclined to sin by nature. We are spiritually lost and dead apart from Jesus Christ. However, through faith in Christ we are new-born and are given the ability to serve God, live for his purposes and enjoy his blessings. -- Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12-21; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1-5; Luke 15; Luke 19:10; John 3:1-21; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

ABOUT ETERNITY
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven´s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13.

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father in power, authority and majesty. Jesus is both God and man. He lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days and demonstrated his power and victory over sin and death. He ascended to heaven to be beside the Father. From there he will one day return to earth to exercise judgment. Jesus lives and rules eternally as King of kings and Lord of lords. -- Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6: 14-15; Titus 2:13

ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God´s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin´s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.

ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us. It comes to us through no effort or decision on our part. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or a life of goodness and kindness. God won salvation for us by loving us, sending his son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death as our substitute. It is through this act of Jesus that salvation became ours. Even faith is not to our credit, for there too God provides his Holy Spirit to create faith in our hearts and minds. Salvation comes to lost mankind by grace alone, through faith alone, in God’s word alone. -- Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 15:5-16, Romans 3:20-26; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:17.

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1.

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son in power, authority and majesty. Since we cannot by our own thoughts or choices believe in Christ or come to him, the Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the good news of Jesus Christ. He makes us aware of our sin and deep need for Christ. He also draws us to Christ by working through the word of God and Baptism. After drawing us to faith, the Holy Spirit then carries out the work of renewing us through word and sacrament – giving us power for Christian living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is pleasing to God. As Christians, we strive to live under his control daily. -- 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.

ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God´s word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5).

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, but this was done under the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit, a process called inspiration. The Bible is the source of the message of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the source of all truth for Christian beliefs and living. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Bible is completely free of mistakes, errors or contradictions. -- 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119: 105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.

***

GJ - The black words are from Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Hisself (I heard him live - a real clown, but not funny.)

It is impossible to have the citations line up so closely, in the same order, and not be copied.

"But Greg," some of you are saying. "The wording is not exactly the same. Another source must be involved, Q or Pseudo-Marcion, or someone like that."

Read below the Statement of Faith from CrossWalk in Phoenix. DP Buchholz is the somnolent Doctrinal Pussycat supervising that debacle:

Statement of Beliefs

CrossWalk Church is a Lutheran Church. This means, first and foremost, that the teaching at our church conforms to the teaching of the Bible. But it also means that we humbly, yet boldy, express ourselves to be in full agreement with the Confessions of the Lutheran Church as a right explanation of the teachings of the Bible. For a full treatment of the Confessions of the Lutheran Church, known as the Book of Concord, you can click here. [GJ - Isn't that the funnest paragraph you ever did read? Does Gunn believe a syllable of that?]

For a brief treatment of our beliefs, you can continue to read below what we believe and teach...

ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has existed from eternity. Though there is only one God, he is three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal in power, authority and majesty. -- Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

God the Father’s special work was to create the universe in which we live. He made us along with every creature, gave us our bodies and souls, as well as our gifts and abilities. He still daily preserves us by richly and daily providing all that we need for our bodies and lives. -- Genesis 1:1-2:3; Psalm 33:6-9; Job 10:10-12; Job 38:36; Psalm 36:6-7; Psalm 145:15-16

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father in power, authority and majesty. Jesus is both God and man. He lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days and demonstrated his power and victory over sin and death. He ascended to heaven to be beside the Father. From there he will one day return to earth to exercise judgment. Jesus lives and rules eternally as King of kings and Lord of lords. -- Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6: 14-15; Titus 2:13

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son in power, authority and majesty. Since we cannot by our own thoughts or choices believe in Christ or come to him, the Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the good news of Jesus Christ. He makes us aware of our sin and deep need for Christ. He also draws us to Christ by working through the word of God and Baptism. After drawing us to faith, the Holy Spirit then carries out the work of renewing us through word and sacrament – giving us power for Christian living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is pleasing to God. As Christians, we strive to live under his control daily. -- 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, but this was done under the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit, a process called inspiration. The Bible is the source of the message of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the source of all truth for Christian beliefs and living. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Bible is completely free of mistakes, errors or contradictions. -- 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119: 105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People were originally created in the spiritual image of God and were sinless and holy. Since the fall of mankind into sin, this is no longer true. Now, all people are born sinful and are constantly inclined to sin by nature. We are spiritually lost and dead apart from Jesus Christ. However, through faith in Christ we are new-born and are given the ability to serve God, live for his purposes and enjoy his blessings. -- Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12-21; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1-5; Luke 15; Luke 19:10; John 3:1-21; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us. It comes to us through no effort or decision on our part. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or a life of goodness and kindness. God won salvation for us by loving us, sending his son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death as our substitute. It is through this act of Jesus that salvation became ours. Even faith is not to our credit, for there too God provides his Holy Spirit to create faith in our hearts and minds. Salvation comes to lost mankind by grace alone, through faith alone, in God’s word alone. -- Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 15:5-16, Romans 3:20-26; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:17

ABOUT OUR PURPOSE IN THIS LIFE

God’s children live to thank him for his acts of love and to magnify his name in the world. First and foremost, our purpose is to seek and find God, who has revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ, and to understand his plan of salvation. Apart from God, there is no true purpose to our lives. Once God has called us to faith, we live to serve him and obey him, which brings great blessings into our lives. In short, once saved, our purpose is to love God foremost and to love our neighbors. Our mission is to tell as many others as we can, through our loving actions and speech, that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind. -- Acts 17:24-28; John 1:1-18; Psalm 148; Psalm 150; Romans 12:1-21; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 28:18:19; Acts 1:8

ABOUT A LIFE DRIVEN BY GOD

Paul the apostle very clearly tells us what a life driven by the love of God looks like: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” -- 1 Corinthians 5:14-15

Paul adds in his letter to the Galatians that a Christian’s spiritual life is fulfilling and joyful: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” -- Galatians 5:22

Jesus wants us to have a full life, and a fulfilling life, as he once told his disciples: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -- John 10:10

ABOUT THE LIFE TO COME

People were created to exist forever. We will exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through the forgiveness and salvation won by Christ. To be eternally separated from God is eternal death or hell. To be eternally united with him in the enjoyment of all his blessings is eternal life or heaven. Heaven and hell are real places where all mankind will exist eternally. In eternity, our bodies and souls are reunited either to suffer the pains of hell or to enjoy the eternal blessings of heaven. -- John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

***

GJ - The closest relationship is between CrossWalk (Church and Change) and Monkey Business Lutheran. However, CrossWalk's statement is derived from Rick Warren, perhaps through another source.

When I dealt with this before, I noticed the affinity between CrossRoads (WELS started, with Rick Miller, Mark Freier, and another yahoo - now E. Covenant with Pastor Joe) and CrossWalk in their confession of faith.

The Mother Ship is Saddleback Community Church in LA. I was there, as noted above. The church is closet-Babtist, like NorthPoint in Atlanta (Ski, Glende, Parlow).

Readers will have to ask Monkey Business Lutheran and CrossWalk about the DNA of their confession of faith.

I can add this. More than 20 years ago WELS Pastor Rick Miller urged people to attend CrossRoads if they were tired of "boring worship services," just like Monkey Business does now.

DP Buchholz was supposedly wroth over CrossWalk. The only discipline extended so far has been electing Jeff Gunn to the Board of Willowcreek Liberal College - along with TWO OTHERS from the same congregation, which includes the new college prez.

I guess Buchholz has adjusted to CrossWalk. WELS has adjusted the CrossWalk. The Circuit Pussycats have adjusted to CrossWalk. And Monkey Business Lutheran is just one more example of where this leads.

Guess what - a Doctor of Divinity found this out while the Conference of Pussycats was working as hard as always - doing nothing.

Monkey Junction - What Is Your Function? - Now Open! |

Monkey Junction - Now Open! |

Life Lutheran is excited to open Monkey Junction, a children's indoor play space, open to the public (for children 0-6 years old.)

On Saturday, September 11, we celebrated our Grand Opening. The kids were entertained with zoo animals, face painting and also got to try out our brand new indoor playroom!

Starting September 14, Monkey Junction will be open on Tuesdays, Wendnesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:00am - 1:00pm.

Monkey Junction is located at 4500 60th Ave. NW - Rochester; on 60th Ave. NW - north of Valleyhigh Dr. & south of 55th St. NW

Come check it out!

Monkey Junction is an indoor play space designed for children ages 0-6 to use under a parent or guardian's supervision. It is located inside of Life Lutheran Church, 4500 60th Ave. NW in Rochester, MN.

Please park in the parking lot and enter through the main doors on the south side of the building.

Monkey Junction opened on September 11, 2010 and is opened through the winter months. Monkey Junction is opened to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The site will be closed if Rochester Public Schools close due to inclement weather.

Admission is $1.00/child.

Life Lutheran Church reserves the right to limit the number of children in the play space at any given time.

There will be a volunteer on site during hours of operation for the purpose of safety and security. We kindly ask that you clean up after yourself and your child(ren).

Code of Conduct:
Monkey Junction aims to provide a SAFE, RESPECTFUL, and RESPONSIBLE environment. Monkey Junction's code of conduct includes:

- 4 children maximum per adult
- Children may NOT be dropped off. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult 16 years of age or older. The parent/adult that accompanies the child(ren) to Monkey Junction is responsible for supervising the child(ren) while in the play space.
- Children must be kindergarten-age or younger.
- Only soft-soled clean gym shoes are allowed in the play area - no boots, stocking or bare feet allowed. Winter boots may be left in the coat room.

Monkey Junction will be closed on Christmas Day.

---

WELCOME

Are you looking for a full and fulfilling life? Jesus wants that for you, and so do we. But, a full and fulfilling life doesn’t start with us - it starts with God. So, Life Lutheran offers serious Bible teaching in a casual atmosphere. We want you to know God and his Word. If you’ve rarely been in a church before, or if you’ve found church boring and dull, give us a try at Life!

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

***

GJ - The hallmarks of WELS training are all there, with a plus. No one could have persuaded me that Monkey Junction would be added to the hilarity of WELS as a "confessional, conservative" Lutheran body. This one sound more like Joel Osteen Lite to me.

I feel sorry for the pastors who have been manipulated into thinking this is the Lutheran ministry.

But I am sure that the ELS Bored of Doctrine will jump on this like a hobo on a hotdog. The ELS cherishes its fellowship with WELS and would not want the least little departure from orthodox doctrine and practice to develop, even incidentally.

Facebook pictures of Monkey Junction.

If this were a real ministry, would they be charging money for it? That sounds like daycare, taking advantage of the tax-free status of the congregation.

Breaking the law - or bending it - is not a new tactic in WELS.

Thy Strong Word - Proof Copy - Now At Lulu.com

Cover by Norma Boeckler

Thanks to my trusty editor, Thy Strong Word is now at Lulu.com as a proof copy. That means the content is 99.9% done. I am going to look at the Table of Contents and the cover for improvements.

The PDF download is free. The printed copy is hardcover. I suggest waiting a little before ordering it. I discounted the price by 50%, to provide it as inexpensively as possible. Those in a rush to buy the proof copy will save $10 by ordering with this code HOLIDAY305 in the window at the end. That has to be done by December 14th - a special deal from Lulu.com.

The hardcover copy is $28.48, so the shipping adds quite a bit, but it is a 667 page book.

This is the link where books and downloads can be ordered.

If you are serious about writing a review, I will send you a free copy. However, I do expect quotable comments, an actual review. Several clergy asked for review copies and did not do the work required. One just wanted to write a nasty letter back. He is an alleged Church Growth opponent - hahahahaha. Yes, he has been stoning the false teachers with popcorn for years now. A witty saying here, a tepid essay there.

I am also interested in people doing additional proof-reading. I have seen the text so often that I cannot edit effectively. If you volunteer, I will send a free proof copy. That is not a criticism of the editor-in-chief, by the way. No one has ever published a perfect book, so additional readers are always useful. LI found about 100 errors in CLP after many readers had worked it over, including Herman Otten and a sharp German student.

I anticipate doing final work on Justification during the Winter Break. That is when we gather around the Winter Tree, sing Winter Carols, and open our Winter presents. I enjoy the season where we can say "Merry Winter!" to everyone.

Jeffery Clark Opens a Can of Eighth Commandment On MLC_Student

Ichabod is the only straight website or blog running this still from "Party in the MLC."


JefferyClark has left a new comment on your post "Party in the MLC - No Wonder the MLC Graduates Can...":

To MLC_Student:

I am curious as to why you do not reveal your identity, if you are, in fact, a student at MLC. Perhaps it is because you were trying to stir the pot with your post and not reporting all the facts about your statements?

Well, I'll help you out just in case you forgot to mention some things.

Regarding the Koine Concert Service on Monday night: It was just that, a concert service. I personally don't like "contemporary services" very much either, but I don't believe that just because it isn't my cup of tea that it is automatically wrong.

The reason it wasn't in the chapel? Well, there are several I can think of off the top of my head:

1) The chapel wasn't properly setup for a concert.
2) The chapel AV system isn't designed for that type of event.
3) The auditorium AV system IS designed for that type of event.
4) The chapel needed to be open to prepare for the compline service later that night before the concert ended (compline was just starting as the band was finishing packing up) -- where there was in fact a spoken confession of sins and absolution. Did you attend the compline service?

It had nothing to do with the fact that the chapel has a cross. If you want a cross and altar in the auditorium, we still have them from when the auditorium was used for chapel services. They were stored because there isn't enough room to keep them on the stage if they aren't being used. Just ask for them to be used when we are in there for events like this in the future and I will personally go and get them out. I would also point out that the new advent wreath does incorporate a cross in its design.

Also, you are misrepresenting/misquoting the administrative council notes. It was mentioned that they were looking at "incorporating more contemporary aspects into some chapel services" to give students a little more variety. Let's face it, a chapel service book with Services A-I can only go so far. Sometimes a little variety is a good thing.

As for your comments about Professor Olson, you have a right to your opinion, whether I, or others, agree with it or not, but I do suggest that you read up on your commandments and Luther's explanations of them. If you need a copy, drop by my room, I'll gladly lend you one. I also recommend you watch the chapel on the 4th commandment online in the archive and attend the upcoming chapel later this week on the 8th commandment.

***

GJ - Jeffery needs to read up on the Eighth Commandment and Matthew 18 in the Large Catechism. Apparently, Larry Oh! and the rest of the faculty are not teaching that part of the Confessions.

What Sasse Says: The Primacy of Scripture

What Sasse Says: The Primacy of Scripture

The Primacy of Scripture

If there is no Bible - as God's Word, as Scripture - in which and through which God speaks to men, then there is no theology, which is man's speaking about God. And if Holy Scripture does not exist as the source and norm of church doctrine, then there is no church doctrine, and therefore there is no church. For this reason then, there is no more burning issue for the Evangelical Lutheran Church today than the doctrine of Holy Scripture.

From Letters to Lutheran Pastors No. 14 (1950), On the Doctrine of Holy Scripture

Inadvertent Commentary on WELS/ELS/LCMS Stealth Congregations - By a Lsbian Coming Out. Community Church? The CORE? FIC? CW?

And she explained how, by hiding her sexual identity, she felt she was admitting it was a bad thing to be gay. She says: "I personally think that if you deny something or if you hide something, you're inadvertently admitting it's wrong."


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1336275/Actress-Amber-Heard-comes-lesbian-GLAAD-event.html#ixzz17Tx8TvH9

Different from UOJ? How? - ELCA Exposed - Gospel Reductionism / Antinomianism - Exposing the ELCA

ELCA Exposed - Gospel Reductionism / Antinomianism - Exposing the ELCA

ELCA Exposed News on Gospel Reductionism and Antinomianism

"What is 'gospel-reductionism?'   Basically it’s the tendency to reduce the Bible to the gospel.  Gospel reductionism tends to allow the Bible authority only in matters which are explicitly part of the gospel or may be developed from the gospel.  Exponents of gospel reductionism believe that considerable freedom should be allowed within the church in matters which are not an explicit part of the gospel.  In this way, the rest of the Bible is relativised; it does not have the same authority.  Instead of the gospel and scripture, the tendency is for only the gospel to become the standard (the norm) of Christian teaching." (see here)

Antinomianism is defined as "(t)he doctrine or belief that the Gospel frees Christians from required obedience to any law, whether scriptural, civil, or moral, and that salvation is attained solely through faith and the gift of divine grace."  (read here)

Antinomianism and Legalism vs. the Gospel: Is it Legalistic and Ungraceful for Saint Paul’s to Leave the ELCA? By Shawn Smith
. . .So rather than being antinomian, Christianity upholds the law to its fullest extent and in doing so forces us to look outside ourselves for deliverance/salvation (Zahl 35). On the other hand, Christianity that deserves to be called antinomian is that which lessens the severity of or does away with the law. . .

ELCA Lutherans Who Are Not Antinomian Are Either Leaving the ELCA or Looking for Ways to Cover Their Embarrassment
. . . Luther’s first big battle within the evangelical party was over antinomianism. He dealt with it decisively when it broke out and when it reemerged in the early 1530’s. . .

Law and Gospel: A Problem with Bound Conscience - Rev. Lauren Lay
. . .The "bound conscience" concept is a rejection of the law and gospel hermeneutical principle in at least two critical ways. First, its appeal is based in the taming of the word of God to gospel alone, removing the power of the law to judge. Since the law is silenced ongoing sin or sins no longer have the power to threaten one's existence before God or in relationships with others. This is gospel reductionism. . .

The Gospels and the Scriptures by Greg Lockwood
(learn about Gospel Reductionism which is happening in the ELCA). . . Instead of the gospel of “Jesus Christ and him crucified”, the church is urged to give first place to concerns like tolerance, inclusiveness or ecology – social justice concerns which belong in the realm of law, not gospel.  Thus gospel reductionism, which on the face of it makes much of the gospel, comes to threaten the biblical gospel. 

Which Jesus do you worship?

Which Jesus do you worship?

Habitat Oshkosh celebrates continued support for affordable housing | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post Crescent

Shun Ichabod. Support the Salvation Army. That's the ticket. WELS discipline at work - hardening hearts, one hypocrite at a time.


Habitat Oshkosh celebrates continued support for affordable housing | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post Crescent

Habitat Oshkosh celebrates continued support for affordable housing

ERICA WOLFF • READER SUBMITTED • DECEMBER 6, 2010

Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh received $50,056 in funding to help build one house in Oshkosh as part of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in 2011.



Read more: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20101206/OSH1003/12060539/Habitat-Oshkosh-celebrates-continued-support-for-affordable-housing#ixzz17TneOLjW



Nationally, Thrivent Financial announced a commitment of $10.4 million to Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity and its homebuilding program, continuing its support of Habitats mission for a sixth year. This funding will make the construction of 164 additional homes in 33 states possible.

In 2011, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, through its unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity International called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, will surpass more than $150 million in its total commitment over six years to create affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh built one home as part of that effort.

The Thrivent Builds partnership has helped Habitat Oshkosh increase the number of families served in our community, said Steve Hoopman, Executive Director. We are so grateful for Thrivent Financials support of our efforts to provide decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.

While Thrivent Financial provides at least 55 percent of the funding for each Thrivent Builds home, local volunteersmany of them Thrivent Financial members and members of area Lutheran congregations assist with construction and help raise additional funds.

Since its inception in 2005, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 2,500 families in the U.S. and around the world achieve the dream of homeownership. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to be one of the largest non-government supporters of Habitat for Humanity International.

About Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh

Habitat Oshkosh built its first home in Oshkosh in 1990. Habitat just finished their 19th home in time for the family to move in before Christmas. In 2010 Habitat Oshkosh will celebrate their 20th anniversary with increase in house constructions, to surpass past years, totaling three new houses and one rehab. For more information, visit www.habitatoshkosh.org.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a hand up to people who lack decent shelter, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat's largest single source of funding, constructing nearly 2,500 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005. For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 800-847-4836, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents of Thrivent Financial.

Bank products and trust services are offered through Thrivent Financial Bank, (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance, securities, investment advisory services, and trust and investment management accounts are not deposits, are not guaranteed by Thrivent Financial Bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, and may go down in value.

For additional important disclosure information, please visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.



Read more: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20101206/OSH1003/12060539/Habitat-Oshkosh-celebrates-continued-support-for-affordable-housing#ixzz17TnZ9BFd

footstepsofphoebe: First Deaconess-in-Training in WELS Sister Church

I am a lion. I am a lion. I am a lion.


footstepsofphoebe: First Deaconess-in-Training in WELS Sister Church



SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010

First Deaconess-in-Training in WELS Sister Church
Pieter Reid, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), serves as "a pastoral friendly counselor" to the national Indonesian church known as Gereja Lutheran Indonesia (GLI). According to Reid's Oct. 7, 2010 blog on missions in Indonesia, GLI is making history by training its very first deaconess.

Reid explained, "One goal of the sister church of WELS in Indonesia is to get the women of GLI active in serving the Lord and serving each other. For this to happen and continue, there needs to be a GLI woman who can be trained to assume this leadership role. ...

"Ibu Heni, one of the pastor’s wives, started attending the GLI seminary two years ago. She didn’t do it to become a pastor, but wanted to grow spiritually. Ibu Heni is taking all of the courses required of the seminary students. Besides being very gifted and faithfully applying herself, she understands the teachings of the Bible, has leadership ability, and the heart of a servant. Ibu Heni has the gifts to become a deaconess and help all the women of GLI to serve the Lord and serve others.

"The leaders of GLI were approached and asked if Ibu Heni could be designated as a Deaconess-in-training. She will continue taking all the seminary courses for the next two years. She will have all the doctrine courses, counseling courses, courses on family life, and all the other courses a pastor will have taken. Work has begun to train and prepare Ibu Heni to become a Deaconess who will oversee the entire ministry of women within GLI and prepare these women to reach out to those who do not yet have Jesus as their Savior. What a blessing a Deaconess will be to this church body!”

It will be interesting to watch this new development, and to note whether the next stage of training - to prepare the women of Indonesia to "reach out to those who do not yet have Jesus as their Savior" - will indeed produce a second generation of deaconesses for this church body.

We wish them every blessing with this endeavor!

Real Whipped Cream

Hot coffee and cold weather go together,
like Fuller and UOJ.

Henrici's Restaurant in Chicago introduced me to whipped cream in coffee, when I was but a lad. I was not drinking coffee that night, but they offered it to my parents who were - a little cup of whipped cream instead of those chemical concoctions foisted on people today.

Normally I drink coffee black, very rarely with sugar. However, I whip cream for guests and use my secret formula, which I am happy to share.

Fresh whipped cream floating on a mug of gourmet coffee is a treat, and it really enhances any flavored coffee, saving some pots from the dangers of brewing the mix too strong. Whipped cream is also an important aid in gaining weight, so I am not anxious to make it a daily habit.

My mother stole off on her family farm with cream, which she whipped up and ate by herself, adding some sugar to the mix. Stolen fruit may be sweet, but stolen whipped cream is even better. I have often volunteered to make it, since the messy beaters need to be licked clean before being washed.

Here are two secrets to making exceptional whipped cream. One is a tiny pinch of salt. That brings out the flavor without making it seem salty. Otherwise it is a little flat (although I can still choke it down). Another secret is adding rum flavoring or another alcohol based flavor. Real vanilla flavoring is a given, but a little rum flavoring (found in the same section of the grocery store) gives it a lift, just as rum and ice cream are natural together - so I've heard.

I have dropped semi-sweet chocolate chips into fresh coffee. I am not sure that makes much of a difference. I do like adding chocolate syrup to whipped cream and putting that on cake. If the whipped cream diet is not adding weight fast enough, add cake.

There are many convenient forms of canned whipped cream at the store. All of them keep the price down by adulterating the contents. I would rather have gourmet whipped cream once a year than canned whipped cream all the time. But in a pinch, in the presence of pumpkin pie, without a mixer and cream, I will use the canned stuff too.

Canned whipped cream reminds me of Church Growth services, predictably mediocre.

Thrivent "Lutheran" Does Bang Up Job Supporting The Salvation Army

This tiger mom accepted her piggy children
when they wore tiger stripes.
Syn Conference Lutherans wear camouflage too.

News Releases

<< Back

Thrivent Financial Red Kettle Match Day Challenge generates $325,000

Single-day effort surpasses $125,000 challenge; Maintains national record set in 2008

APPLETON, Wis. (Dec. 7, 2010) – For the third straight year, Appleton maintained the national record for the largest single-day matching donation to The Salvation Army with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ Red Kettle Match Day Challenge Dec. 3.

The Fox Cities community raised $200,157.22 last Friday, and when combined with Thrivent Financial’s $125,000 it raises the total to 325,157.22. In its seventh year, the Thrivent Financial Red Kettle Match Day has generated over $1.6 million in total.

“The spirit of giving abounds in the Fox Cities,” said Peter Gianopoulos, senior adviser of business risk management. “The outpouring of generosity from this community that is displayed year after year at the Red Kettles is remarkable. Donors and volunteers from the Fox Cities community and Thrivent Financial have shown they know the true meaning of Christmas: to give to others.”

100 percent of bell ringing shifts filled!
On Dec. 3, all 50 kettle sites in the Fox Cities were scheduled to have a volunteer bell ringer for each shift. Thrivent Financial employees, members and financial representatives were among those volunteering to ring bells in the community.

This was also the fifth year for the Thrivent Financial Red Kettle Idol contest. “Red Kettle Idol” is a friendly, festive competition for Thrivent Financial employees to help trigger donors to drop a few more coins and bills into the red kettle.

This year, competition was fierce among groups contesting in Red Kettle Idol. This year’s winning roup is “Welcome Christmas.” About 20 Thrivent Financial employees dressed as characters from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” going all out with hand-painted signs, rehearsed Red Kettle Match Day songs, and even some choreography. Other notable groups included a band of 80s rockers, Alvin and the Chipmunks and a team dressed as U.S. Presidents who did a patriotic boogie to drive up donations.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Christian church. As a faith based organization, The Salvation Army also provides physical aid such as food, clothing and shelter, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army - Fox Cities has been located in Appleton since 1917. They serve the Fox Valley area in Neenah, Menasha, Kimberly, Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Larsen, Grand Chute, Little Chute, Appleton and Darboy. The Salvation Army - Fox Cites is not a participating United Way agency. For more information visit us on the web at safoxcities.org.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Breaking News - India Poised to Grow Exponentially - Larry Oh! Declined the Call

Notice the lack of doctrinal discipline on display in the Church and Change bulletin and the Martin Luther (sic) faculty list.

"Blessed Father Reverend Beloved Pastor Doctor Professor Lawrence Olson (DMin, Fuller Seminary)declined the call to serve as assistant field coordinator in India."

Public Service Announcement - Virus, Spam, and Backups

I keep hearing from friends and students whose hard drives have been wrecked by a virus. The problem is much more severe now than a year or two ago.

I am not trying to sell software, but I had similar problems using two different anti-virus software programs. One was "free" and almost cost me the hard drive. The other came installed.

I struggled with a fix on one for several hours, went out and bought Norton 360, which includes:
1. Anti-virus updates continuously.
2. Anti-spam email protection.
3. A firewall, also essential.
4. Online backups.
5. Anti-phishing (some blocking of financial schemes).

Norton quashed the virus during installation. The virus tried to come back for several days but Norton vanquished it.

The only dangerous viruses are the newest ones. If you do not have continuous updating, you will get the newest virus. They are no longer fun. They are very destructive.

Spam email can spread viruses. Spam software isolates it. Email viruses will copy your entire address list and sent the virus to all your friends (potentially ex-friends).

The firewall keeps the rest of the Internet from "seeing" your computer. I know that Norton also blocks various invasion efforts, such as the Trojan Horse and the Sub-seven. A Trojan Horse program will take over a computer and turn it into a zombie, controlled by someone in another location, even another country.

Online backups mean that the most important files are stored away from home, on a server, so they can be recovered if the worst thing happens. Computers are easy to replace. Years of work are not.

Phishing schemes send very official looking emails, asking for banking information and other ways to extract money from accounts. Software cannot be 100% on this, but it does recognize common schemes and blocks them. Reducing junk email is important. One corporation said 90+% of all emails received were spam.

Schock-a-Roo: NIV Gets Even Worse

There's been an unexpected development in the publication of the revised edition of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. Last month, the publisher of the NIV made the revised version available on its Web site, well before the spring of 2011—the date previously announced for actual publication.

Since online users are already seeing the new version and comparisons are being made, the move has lent a new sense of urgency to the work of the WELS committee appointed to discuss principles of biblical translation, to evaluate whether the new version is acceptable for use in our synod, and to explore options for other translations if the new NIV is judged to be unacceptable.

As previously reported in "Together" and Forward in Christ, a short time after publication of the revised version of the NIV, the current version will not be permitted to be used in publications. The committee plans to evaluate the various changes that have been made to the NIV and will eventually arrive at recommendations regarding its use. If the committee concludes that the NIV is not acceptable due to inaccuracies, it will also lead a process in which the synod will choose a translation that is desirable both for its accuracy and for its English clarity.

***

GJ - The Syn Conference got behind the NIV, which lavished funds on some key decision makers. Everyone knew what a Pente-Babti-Reformed paraphrase of the Bible would be. They defended the results. WELS got rid of pastors who objected, even though they previously advocated the KJV.

Another schock - the Shrinkers use and defend "Make disciples" in the Great Commission, the reading of the NIV, but not Luther's orginal, not the KJV. Naturally, making disicples converts a clear passage into Pietistic hash. That was the idea. The NIV also obliterates clear Sacramental passages.

The Lutherans could have gone with the New KJV if they had to have a new one. That would have kept the wording they were used to using, instead of shifting to NIV mumbo-jumbo nonsense.

A better solution would have been to produce a slight Lutheran revision of the KJV, because the KJV has been modestly revised a few times since it was originally kelmed from Tyndale, who was close to Luther and his language.

The Syn Conference Lutherans work together via Fuller Seminary, Willow Creek, and Thrivent. They could have cooperated on a worthwhile project, so Lutheran publications could have shared a common language. That was the original goal of the KJV, to have one English Bible for all English-speaking people.

The KJV will celebrate its 400th anniversary next year, and the celebrations have started. That may remind the Syn Conference leaders how poor their stewardship has been.

Misouri, WELS, and the Little Sect have produced a generation or two of NIV pastors, a generation or two of Shrinkers.