After 54 years, choir director to bid farewell - Quad Cities Online. Famous Moline Boys Choir

Kermit Wells, temporary director for 54 years.

After 54 years, choir director to bid farewell - Quad Cities Online:


The annual Moline Boys Choir spring concert later this month will be extra special -- not only because the April 29 program will inaugurate the new auditorium at John Deere Middle School, but that the choir, alumni and community will bid farewell to its longtime director, Kermit Wells.

After 54 years with the choir, Mr. Wells, 75, will retire this summer. The beloved choir (now with 36 regular members and 14 younger cadets) was founded by Frederick Swanson in 1948; Mr. Wells joined as an assistant in 1958. The MBC has toured the country and overseas, made many recordings, and included as many as 200 boys in three separate groups in the 1980s.

"I still enjoy teaching the kids; I don't have energy for concertizing," Mr. Wells said. "It takes so much stress, physical endurance for the concerts. I just don't have the energy for it. "

Former music coordinator for the Moline School District and a junior-high and high-school music teacher (he retired in 1995), Mr. Wells has directed MBC since 1973. He leads five one-hour rehearsals a week at the Coolidge auditorium; singers -- from second through ninth grades -- are required to attend at least two each week, and three in the weeks leading up to a concert. Mr. Wells often doesn't see the whole choir together until the concert.

The holiday season is a busy time for the choir, with several concerts in November and December. Each spring's concert usually features alumni, and the 3 p.m. concert April 29 should be extra full, given Mr. Wells' announcement, said choir alum Steve Slininger, of Silvis, who serves on the board and is heading up the search committee.

"It was pretty amazing," he said of the director's half-century tenure. "When I was a boy, the transformation occurred from Dr. Swanson to Mr. Wells. He was planning to do this on a temporary basis. He's been doing it temporary for 54 years."

"He was very big on tradition," Mr. Slininger said of Mr. Wells, who also taught his three brothers, and his son, Brian. "We kept up a lot of activities we did when I was a boy. He has his own different style of dealing with the boys. It used to be we never got away with anything."

The choir has hundreds of people across the country on its mailing list, and would like to find an alumnus to succeed Mr. Wells. "It should be somebody who knows the boys choir procedure," he said.

Mr. Slininger said the goal is to hire a new director by August. As he's done for 50 years, Mr. Wells will accompany a group of choir members to a week-long camp in Green Lake, Wis., in July. During the summer, the choir doesn't rehearse regularly, but meets for the week before the trip, and performs while there.

Mr. Wells said he's proudest of getting boys interested and involved in music.

"It's something boys don't come by naturally," he said. "To boys, music singing is a girl thing. Once they get into it, get to know each other, they enjoy each other -- the music, the applause and the standing ovations."

Now it's time for their dedicated director to take a bow.

Quotes from Boys Choir alumni

Reactions to Kermit Wells' decision to retire poured forth in a strong, sustained chorus on the Facebook page "Moline Boys Choir For Life":

Matt Sedlak: "Mr. Wells, you taught me so much. You taught me to believe in myself and to not be ashamed of the voice and personality God gave me. Thank you for being my Moline Boys Choir Director."
Jeff De Leon: "An era is truly coming to an end. Thank you for everything you've done to inspire youth to pursue the arts in the Q.C. and for being an incredible teacher."

Chadwick Vogel: "There never was a more dedicated, wonderful director. Thank you for the years of discipline, and beautiful music you gave to each and every member of the choir."

Tom Mahalla: "But how can one replace that which is irreplaceable?"

Peter Holst: "Thank you is not enough. You have been such a guiding influence in so many young lives. Thank you Mr. Wells!!!!!"

Steve Van Daele: "Kermit, you have been such a positive influence to 'your' boys over the years. One can tell by the following you have from afar on FB. Your dedication has given many the 'escape' they were always looking for. I am proud being an Alumni of the MBC."

Andrew Swenson: "Kermit, Many thanks for your years of service to MBC! My MBC experience provided a solid foundation for almost 40 years of choral singing, an indispensable part of my life. You were a big part of that MBC experience."

Bruce John is in the center, fifth row,
and John Robeson (redhead) is fourth row, on the right.
Dr. Fred Swanson is directing this Christmas concert, probably 1960.

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Larry Eyre's mother kept this certificate for 50 years. The fine print is worth reading - "not for pecuniary profit."

John Robeson, MBC member from the same year, sent some scans which were posted.

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churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "After 54 years, choir director to bid farewell - Q...":

These retrospectives are great, Dr Jackson. Thank you for sharing them with us.

A great way to learn (or, in my case, reminisce ;) ) about social history and find out more about Moline!

Churchmouse

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GJ - You are welcome, ChurchMouse. Leo Brunner was a classmate who knew all the stats of all the men in professional baseball, year by year. We also went to college together. He was in the Moline Boys Choir too. Leon became a phenomenal teacher, simply loved by the kids, and a great coach too. He always had a weak heart and died young. They named a tournament after him.

I remember him at a reunion, grinning about how all the boys tested him on statistics and he never got them wrong. He told me how that earned their respect and made them receptive to teaching.

Leo never lost that huge grin in talking about baseball.
The photographer, Karl Huntoon, another classmate, also died young.

Luther Berates the False Shepherds of Church Growth,Their Synodical Leaders and Professors

Luther's Good Shepherd sermon.

10. But that we may make it the plainer, and may understand it the better, we will cite a passage from the prophet Ezekiel, where he speaks of the wicked shepherds that are against Christ, when he says (34, 2ff) : "Should not the Shepherds feed the sheep? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they become food to all the beasts of the field and were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and there was none that did search or seek after them," and so forth. Accordingly, God reproves the shepherds who do not keep the sheep. And now mark well what he has written. His earnest intent in this paragraph is that the weak, sick, broken, those who are driven away and the lost, are to be strengthened, bound up, healed, and sought again, and that they are not to be torn to pieces and scattered. This you should have done, says he to the shepherds, but you have not done it; therefore, I will do it myself. As he says further on, in verse 16: "I will seek that which was lost, I will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick."

11. Here you see that Christ's kingdom is to be concerned about the weak, the sick, the broken, that he may help them. That is, indeed, a comforting declaration. The only trouble is that we do not realize our needs and infirmities. If we realized them, we would soon flee to him. But how did those shepherds act? They ruled with rigor, and applied God's Law with great severity; and, moreover, they added their own commandments, as they still do, and when these were not fulfilled, they raved and condemned, so that they were driving and driving and exhorting and exacting, continually. That is no proper way to tend and keep souls, says Christ. He is no such shepherd as that; for no one is benefited, but is rather wholly undone, by such a course, as we shall presently hear. Now let us consider this citation from the prophet in its order.

Leonard Sweet, New Age Guru
and his faithful minion, Paul Calvin Kelm.
In the background - WELS gay videos are reality now,
found at the synod headquarters - but no one knew!

12. First, be says: The sheep that are weak are to be strengthened; that is, consciences weak in faith and troubled in spirit and of tender disposition are not to be driven and told: You must do this. You must be strong. If you are weak, you are lost. That is not strengthening the weak. St. Paul, speaking to the Romans (chapter 14,1) says: "But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples." And shortly afterwards (chapter 15, 1) he says: "Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." Accordingly, they should not be driven with rigor, but should be comforted, even though they are weak, lest they be driven to despair; and in time they will grow stronger.

13. Isaiah, the, prophet, speaks of Christ likewise (chapter 42, 3): "A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench." The bruised reeds are poor, tender consciences, which are easily distracted so that they tremble and despair of God. He does not fly at them then, and trample them under foot; that is not his way. But he deals with them gently, lest he break them to pieces. Again, the dimly burning wick, which still burns at least, though there be more smoke than fire there, he does not wholly quench, but lights, and again and again trims it. That is a great consolation, indeed, to such as experience it; and, therefore, he who does not deal gently with tender consciences is no good shepherd.

Hunter: de-caff.

14. Secondly, the prophet says: "Neither have ye healed the sick." Who are the sick? They are those who are manifestly deficient in certain of their works. The first clause has reference to tender consciences; the second, to outward conduct. As, for instance, when one growls and sulks, and now and then lapses, and in anger and other foolish ways oversteps the bounds; even as the apostles, at times, grievously stumbled. But even those who in their outward works before men manifest their shortcomings, so that people are offended at them and say that they are rude and peculiar, he will not cast away; for his kingdom here below is not so constituted as to embrace only the strong and the whole, as it will be in the life to come. Christ is sent here that he might receive and help just such people.

LCMS Professor David Scaer

LCMS Pastor Paul Scaer.

15. Therefore, even though we are weak and sick, we must not despair and say we are not in the kingdom of Christ. But the more we realize our sickness, all the more should we turn to him; for that is what he is here for, to heal and make us whole. Accordingly, if you are sick and a sinner, and realize your condition, you have all the more reason to go to him and say: Dear Lord, I come just because I am a sinner; that thou mayest help me, and make me good. Thus, necessity drives you to him; for the greater your ailment, the more imperative it is that you seek relief. And that is what he wants; therefore, he tenderly bids us to be of good cheer, and to come unto him. They who are not good shepherds, however, expect to make people good by hatefully scolding and driving them, whereas they are thereby only making matters worse. And this may be seen when we look upon present conditions, brought about by this wrong method, when everything is so piteously scattered, even as the prophet has here said.

English as a second language? - sign us up!

16. Thirdly: "Neither have ye bound up that which was broken." To be broken is as though one had a bone fractured or were otherwise wounded. As when a Christian is not only weak and infirm, so that he makes a misstep at times, but when he falls into such great temptation that he breaks his leg; for instance, if he should fall and deny the Gospel, as St. Peter did, when he denied Christ. Well, even though one should make such a misstep as to be impeded or overthrown--even then you should not cast him away, as though he no more belonged to this kingdom. For you must not rob Christ of his characteristic, that in his kingdom abounding grace and mercy alone prevail, so that he helps those who realize their misery and wretchedness, and desire to be helped, and that his kingdom is wholly one of consolation, and that he is a comforting, friendly shepherd, who tenderly invites, and would induce, all men to come unto him.

Children were banned from this special service, kelmed from Craig Groeschel.
Foward (sic) this newsletter to let people know what Satan is doing in WELS.

17. Now, all this is effected through the Gospel alone, by means of which we are to strengthen all the weak and heal all the sick; for this Word will satisfy every want of those whose consciences are troubled, and will give full consolation to all, so that no one, no matter how great a sinner he has been, need despair. Hence, Christ alone is the good shepherd, who heals all our infirmities and raises up again those who have fallen. He who does not do that is no shepherd.

How convenient, to use Martin Luther College, WELS,
to teach against Lutheran doctrine.

18. Fourthly, the prophet says: "Neither have ye brought back that which was driven away." What is meant by "that which was driven away"? It is that despised soul that is fallen so low that all efforts to reclaim it seem to be in vain. Nevertheless, Christ would not have even such dealt with rigorously. He would not have his kingdom narrowed down so as to include only such as are strong and healthy and perfect.
That will be the case in the future kingdom that follows this life, as has been said: Now, because he reigns, pure grace and bliss only shall prevail. Even as God promised the children of Israel (Ex 3, 8) that the promised land would be a land flowing with milk and honey. Likewise St. Paul says that our uncomely parts shall have more abundant comeliness (1 Cor 12,23).

Don Patterson is so po' that he needs a free vicar each year,
but he has $40,000 for fund-raisers.

19. Fifthly, he concludes: "Neither have ye sought that which was lost." That which was lost is that which is given up as already condemned, so that there is no expectation that it ever will return; as the publicans and harlots mentioned in the Gospel, and as the dissolute and intractable in our day, were and are. And yet, even these he would not have us pass by, but would have everything possible done to reclaim them. This was done by St. Paul, on different occasions; as, for example, when he delivered two men unto Satan, as he said to Timothy (1 Tim 1, 20): "Whom I delivered unto Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme." And, again, to the Corinthians he said (1 Cor 5,5): "I have concluded to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." He had cast these away as condemned, and yet he goes after them again.

Start at home if your son is a professed atheist.

Bobby Petrino and winning vs. character - Post Leadership - The Washington Post. This Applies to Lutheran Presidents Who Lie about Felons in Their Midst

Elderly coach and college-aged mistress.
Lutheran propaganda outfits make sure the members and ministers hear a cooked story
instead of the truth.
What does that say about the integrity of the leaders?

Bobby Petrino and winning vs. character - Post Leadership - The Washington Post:


When Bobby Petrino was the head football coach at the University of Louisville, he interviewed with Auburn University to replace Tommy Tuberville, who had been his boss, giving him a break in his career. He initially denied the 2003 meeting before admitting to it. Four years later, when he was recruited away from the Atlanta Falcons with just three games left in the season, he left a short statement in the players’ lockers shortly after telling the team’s owner he wasn’t going anywhere.

None of this is news to anyone who follows football. So, when Petrino’s character was again on the line thanks to the scandal that prompted his firing Tuesday from the University of Arkansas, few seemed surprised. ESPN’s Time Keown writes that “the character questions began long before he was hired and then released as Arkansas’ head coach.” And Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Rosenberg opines that “if we were playing a game, and you asked me to guess which major-college coach hired his mistress to work with his football program, got in a motorcycle accident with her on board, then lied to his bosses about the relationship, I could have guessed ‘Bobby Petrino’ faster than it takes him to print out his resume.”


Bobby Petrino speaks during a news conference in Fayetteville, Ark. on April 3, 2012. (Gareth Patterson - AP) Such scoffing gives little credit to athletic director Jeff Long, who put integrity first in making this decision and was visibly shaken in a news conference about the effect Petrino’s actions would have on Arkansas players. Still, there’s truth to the criticism. Until a history of questionable actions has real consequences for leaders, rather than leading to a period of exile that ends all too quickly in our forgive-and-forget society, the pattern of putting winning before character will continue.

For those who have not been following the Petrino story, it encapsulates behavior that is antithetical to what one would want from a person leading student-athletes. After being involved in a motorcycle accident (in which he was not wearing a helmet), Petrino said he was the only individual on the bike. Several days later, a police report revealed that Petrino had in fact been with a 25-year-old employee of the athletic department who he had recently hired for a new job. Just before the police report was made public, Petrino told Long about his companion on the bike, with whom, it turned out, he had had an inappropriate relationship.

In a news conference explaining his decision to terminate Petrino, Long highlighted the “misleading and manipulative” behavior from his coach. He said Petrino was given “multiple opportunities” over four days to come clean about what happened, but chose not to. And he got emotional when he spoke about the lack of leadership and the impact it would have on Petrino’s players. “I’m committed to providing them with the leadership—leadership that’s befitting of our mission to develop student athletes to their fullest potential through intercollegiate athletics,” Long said, adding “our expectations of character and integrity in our employees can be no less than what we expect from our students. No single individual can be bigger than the team.”

Denying secretive interview and leaving town without saying goodbye in person may not be the same as staying mum about an inappropriate relationship with a young staffer. Raw ambition and an unwillingness to face up to professional players may not be as questionable as giving a staffer a job in a college football program who had “an unfair and undisclosed advantage.” Still, my guess is that when Long goes to hire a replacement for Petrino, a good hard look at the character questions in any candidate’s past will be at the top of his agenda.


'via Blog this'

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GJ - This post deals with "conservative" Lutheran leaders rewarding felons.

The same district and synod presidents who lie to cover up scandals will also lie about everything else. Since they see their roles as public relations for Holy Mother Synod, any lie will do.

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bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Bobby Petrino, Jessica Dorrell talked frequently, ...":

I suppose why they looked at his phone records is to see if he was texting while motorcycling, and maybe that is what caused the crash. Otherwise, there'd be no other reason for the invasion of privacy. However, I wonder why the phone company had to give the last six months of calls and textings, rather than just the last fifteen minutes before the crash.

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GJ - The records were released under the Freedom of Information Act. I thought I heard the journalist say that it was a university owned phone. That would make the phone calls, texts, pictures, and videos the property of the school.

Would the coach want a phone bill thicker than the Yellow Pages, delivered at home? The pages are already on the Internet somewhere.

Fake Blogger Celebrates Prematurely

World-class musician to perform at MLC - NUJournal.com | News, Sports, Jobs - The Journal, New Ulm, MN

World-class musician to perform at MLC - NUJournal.com | News, Sports, Jobs - The Journal, New Ulm, MN:

Is he WELS/ELS?

I hope no one prays during the chapel service.

The ELS broke ground on this issue, having a Roman Catholic bishop march in procession at their copper-top Schwan chapel.

PS - It may be warm there. I hope they turn on the AC in their $8 million cathedral in New Ulm.

'via Blog this'

Bobby Petrino, Jessica Dorrell talked frequently, phone records show - ESPN. Arkansas Fired the Adulterer, But What Do the "Conservative" Lutherans Do?

Jessica Dorrell, 25, and married coach Bobby Petrino, 51.

Dorrell cute, but guilty, should be fired. Have you noticed how many cute female assistants the WELS Church and Changers have? And they are paid in the range of lovely Jessica, $50k.

Bobby Petrino, Jessica Dorrell talked frequently, phone records show - ESPN:


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino and Jessica Dorrell exchanged more than 4,300 text messages and nearly 300 phone calls over the past seven months -- on game days, before dawn and even as the police report that hastened his downfall was being released to the public, according to a review of his business cellphone records by The Associated Press.

The messages, among some 300 pages of records released under a Freedom of Information Act request, appear to include picture and video files, though there was no way to verify the content. But the records clearly show a married father of four in frequent contact with Dorrell, a 25-year-old former Razorbacks volleyball player. When she traveled, she always rode coach.

Petrino was fired Tuesday night for failing to disclose his relationship with Dorrell, whom he hired last month without disclosing his conflict of interest or the fact he had once paid her $20,000. Athletic director Jeff Long said he had determined their relationship had been ongoing for a "significant" amount of time, but he did not say for how long.

The phone records show that Petrino remained in close contact with Dorrell following the April 1 motorcycle accident in which Petrino suffered four broken ribs, a cracked neck vertebra and scrapes and bruises

That day, Petrino and Dorrell went for a motorcycle ride on a two-lane highway southeast of Fayetteville and skidded off the road. Petrino and Dorrell talked for 16 minutes earlier that day before the crash at 6:45 p.m., and they also had a 22-minute conversation the following day -- while Petrino was apparently still in the hospital recovering.

Petrino's accident report was disclosed by state police on April 5, and the two talked 11 times that day. That included a pair of 2-minute calls around 3:30 p.m., when police were releasing the report that for the first time exposed her presence at the accident.

Later that evening, as questions swirled about his future at Arkansas, Petrino exchanged four calls with his agent, Russ Campbell, totaling 10 minutes.

The cellphone records show Petrino and Dorrell were in contact at least as far back as Sept. 12. The university provided nearly seven months of Petrino's business cellphone records, and that is the first date listed. Among the findings:

• Petrino, a married father of four, exchanged 91 texts with Dorrell on Sept. 13 and 84 texts with her over five hours on Oct. 28, the day before a game at Vanderbilt.

Scott Van Pelt

ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach talks about potential replacements for Bobby Petrino at Arkansas and the state of the Arkansas program.

More Podcasts »
• On Oct. 17, the two swapped 73 text messages, and on four days in a row in the week before a loss to eventual national champion Alabama, Petrino called Dorrell early -- at 5:52 a.m., 6:35 a.m., 5:49 a.m. and 7:55 a.m.

• The day Arkansas beat Troy, the two exchanged 70 texts.

• They exchanged 26 texts the day Arkansas beat Mississippi State and four following the Razorbacks' loss to LSU on Nov. 25.

• Dorrell texted Petrino during Arkansas' Cotton Bowl win over Kansas State, though the coach didn't reply until the following day.

The 51-year-old Petrino built Arkansas into a national power, including a 21-5 record over the past two seasons and a No. 5 ranking in last season's final AP poll. He was expected to lead the Hogs on a national title run next season, but his career was effectively ended the day of the accident.

Petrino didn't disclose her presence on the ride until the police report was issued; he told his boss, athletic director Jeff Long, about 20 minutes before the report was released to the public.

The records show Petrino's six-minute call to Long at 3:11 p.m., the call during which the coach first told Long of his inappropriate relationship with Dorrell and her presence at the accident.

Petrino has issued a lengthy apology and said he was focused on trying to make amends to his family.


'via Blog this'

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GJ - Note the difference between the Synodical Conference (tm) and a secular university. Arkansas fired their adulterous football coach because he undermined the integrity and reputation of the university.

The Michigan District WELS hired two divorced ex-pastors, Floyd Stolzenburg and Roger Zehms, to be Church Growth experts in Columbus and around the district. Neither one admitted guilt in their divorce.

WELS let Pastor William Tabor join their holier-than-thou ministerium even though they had written evidence of his adultery as a pastor. In fact, Zehms (above) also knew about it. Tabor later participated in the murder of his wife, while letting his mistress take the fall. WELS let Tabor move to a new pastoral call out of state.

The father of WELS VP James Huebner, Loyd Huebner - the DMLC president, defended Al Just (WELS teacher) in a murder trial. Al said his wife rolled over on a steak knife in bed. The jury did not believe Al. A busload of WELS zombies came down to Phoenix to lend their support of Just.

WELS pastors knew their district president, Ed Werner, was molesting members of his congregation, for 20 years. The mothers of the girls forced the trial, because they too had been molested. DP Werner went to the Big House for his crimes, but most WELS members do not know they had a DP in the hoosegow.

The ELS does not fire pastors for adultery, but they extend the Left Foot of Fellowship for disagreeing with Pope John the Malefactor.

WELS does not forgive anyone who questions Holy Mother Synod, but SP Schroeder published his assurances that homosexual man-boy porn addict Joel Hochmuth was forgiven.

I could give many examples from the CLC and LCMS, but readers get the picture.

If the felon is a buddy of the SP, he is praised and absolved into heaven, and given a promotion. If someone furrows his brows when the SP says something outrageous, the All-Grace Happy-Chappy SP is suddenly Hortense the Hangman, who will move heaven and earth to get rid of the guy and punish his family.

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bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Bobby Petrino, Jessica Dorrell talked frequently, ...":

The coach is real lucky a pile of dirt and branches stopped him before his bike went into the woods. A blogger notes that no other pile like this exists on that road for miles either way:

Ballad of Petrino:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaIu5O-KCd8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://friendsoftheprogram.net

http://zennie62blog.com

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/04/06/state-police-to-update-petrino-crash-details

Luther on the Word of the Holy Spirit - From His Gospel Sermons

These sermons can be read in their entirely in the Baker series
or online from Our Redeemer LCMS.
Obviously - Harrison, Schroeder, and Moldstad have not read them.
No one can advocate UOJ after studying Luther.

Sin - First Sermon 3. Let us take, for example, at the present day, all the schools of learning and the learned men and see whether they can tell us what that one little word "sin" is? For who has ever heard that not to believe in Christ is sin? They say, it is sin if one speaks, desires or does something against God's will and commandment. But how does that correspond with this saying of Christ: It is sin because they do not believe on me? Therefore, they are easily convicted of the fact that they know not what sin is; and if they be ever so learned, they will not be able to explain this text.

Remedy - First Sermon 7. Now, against this evil God found a remedy and determined to send Christ, his Son, into this world, that he should shed his blood and die, in order to make satisfaction for sin and take it away, and that the Holy Spirit then should enter the hearts of such people, who go about with the works of the Law, being unwilling and forced to it, and make them willing, in order that without force and with joyous heart they keep God's commandments. Otherwise there might be no means of removing the misery; for neither human reason and power, nor even an angel could rescue us from it. Thus, God has done away with the sins of all men who believe on the Christ, so that henceforth it is impossible for one to remain in sin who has this Saviour, who has taken all sins upon himself and blotted them out.

What Sin Remains? - First Sermon 9. What sort of sin then remains upon earth? No other than that one does not receive this Saviour and refuses to accept him who has taken away sin. For if he were present, there would be no sin, since he, as I have said, brings the Holy Spirit with him, who kindles the heart and makes it willing to do good. Therefore, the world is no longer punished and condemned on account of other sins, because Christ blots them all out; only this remains sin in the New Testament, that one will not acknowledge nor receive him. Therefore he likewise says in this Gospel:

"When the Holy Spirit is come, he will convict the world in respect of sin, because they believe not on me."

10. As if he wished to say: Had they believed on me, everything would already have been forgiven them, whatever sin they might have committed, for I know that they by nature cannot do otherwise.

Summary - First Sermon 26. These are the three parts we have in this Gospel lesson: Sin is unbelief; righteousness is faith; the judgment is the holy cross. Therefore give heed and learn to consider everything that is without the Spirit as nothing and as condemned, and afterwards be prepared for the holy cross that thou must suffer on account of it.

Only Unbelief Is Sin - Second Sermon "When the Comforter is come, he will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they believe not on me."

2. Here we must let that be "sin" which is ascribed to, and included in, sin by the high majesty of heaven. In the text only unbelief is mentioned as sin, "because," says the Lord, "they believe not on me."

3. But what is it to believe on Christ? It is not simply to believe that he is God, or that he reigns in heaven in equal power with God the Father; many others believe that: But I believe on Christ when I believe that he is a gracious God to me and has taken my sins upon himself and reconciled me with God the Father, that my sins are his and his righteousness mine, that there is an intermingling and an exchange, that Christ is a mediator between me and the Father. For the sins of the whole world were laid upon Christ, and the righteousness of the Father, that is in Christ, will swallow up all our sins.

No sins dare and can remain upon Christ. Such faith makes me pure and acceptable to the Father. Of this faith the pope and our highly educated leaders know nothing to speak, much less to believe. They teach that man should do many good works if he is to be acceptable to God and be free from sin, and that then God imparts to him his grace.

The Remedy - Second Sermon 4. However, here the Lord speaks quite differently, and says: "The Holy Spirit will convict the world in respect of sin, because they believe not on me." Unbelief only is mentioned here as sin, and faith is praised as suppressing and extinguishing the other sins, even the sins in the saints. Faith is so strong and overpowering that no sin dare put it under any obligation. Although sins are present in pious and believing persons, they are not imputed to them, nor shall their sins condemn them. This is Paul's meaning when he says in Rom 8, 1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Their hearts are cleansed by faith, as Peter writes in Acts 15, 9. Therefore, whatever they do in this faith, in this assurance is all good, pure and pleasing to God. On the contrary, without this faith all their doings are sin and destruction, though their good works may shine and glitter as beautifully as they will, and even though they raise the dead. For Paul says: "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin," Rom 14, 23.

Unbelief Is Called Sin - Second Sermon 5. What will now become of all the priests, nuns and monks who, wishing to escape sin, run into cloisters and undertake to do many good works without this faith? Unbelief is called sin, as I said, but to believe on Christ--that he takes my sins upon himself, reconciles me to the Father and at the same time makes me his heir of all that is in heaven and earth--this is good works. In John 6, 28-29, the Jews asked Christ: "What must we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Yea, and should we preach thus, who will then enter the cloisters or contribute anything for them? The purses of the monks would then surely become flat, their kitchens scanty, their cellars empty and neglected. For this reason they will not allow faith to be preached; nay, they condemn this doctrine and banish its preachers. Indeed they have already set about it in good earnest. Christ further says: "Of righteousness, because I go to the Father."

Convicting the World Brings Punishment - Second Sermon How else can unbelief and other secret sins live in the heart while the heart itself is not conscious of them and knows not that they are sins? But those who convict the world must, on that account, be reviled as heretics and be banished from the country, as we see at present. Therefore, the Holy Spirit must convict the world.

8. The rod, however, by which the world is convicted and punished, is the divine Word and the holy Gospel, proclaimed by the apostles and preachers, as God the Father says to his Son in Ps 2, 9: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." That is, you shall humble them with the holy Gospel. But the world resents such conviction and punishment; yet it punishes severely, and even more severely than the Holy Spirit does. The Holy Spirit takes rods, but the world uses swords and fire. Isaiah also speaks in like terms of Christ our Lord in Is 11, 4: "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."

The Righteousness of Faith - Second Sermon For this righteousness is nothing but to believe that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father; that he is equal with God possessing equal power; that he has become Lord by virtue of his passion, by which he has ascended to the Father, reconciled us with God and is there as our mediator. This is what the prophet means in Ps 110, 1. "Jehovah saith unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Therefore, St. Paul calls Christ now a mediator, 1 Tim 2, 5; Heb 8, 6; then a throne of grace, Rom 3, 25; a propitiation, 1 John 2, 2, and other like names. God requires this honor from us and faith demands it that we possess him as our Lord and Saviour; and this glory he will not concede to any one else, as he says through the prophet: "My glory will I not give to another," Is 42, 8.

Summary - Second Sermon 16. Thus, three thoughts have been presented to us in this Gospel: Sin, righteousness and, finally, the cross and persecution. We shall be freed from sin through faith. If we believe that Christ made satisfaction for our sins and that his satisfaction is ours, that is then the righteousness. When we are free from sin, and are just and pious, then the world, Satan and the flesh will arise and contend and battle against us. Then come persecution and the cross. This we wish to have set forth in brief at present from this Gospel. May God grant his grace that we learn it thus, and know how to govern ourselves by it when we need it.

Efficacy of the Word and Its Result - Third Sermon 7. Herewith Christ bestows upon his apostles power and authority, nay more, even command over the whole world. It is to be subject to their preaching and to hear the apostles. Although their office shall be despised in the world and have no reputation, because they are plain, ordinary people, and even apart from this they must be hated and oppressed and must suffer in the world, when with their convictions they run counter to it, till he strengthens and comforts them with the assurance that their office shall nevertheless have power, force and efficacy. Those in the world will be compelled to hear it and to allow it to have course, unsubverted and unforbidden, regardless of their raging and storming against it with persecution, ban and death, and all power and force not only of the world, but also of the whole kingdom of hell.

The Holy Spirit Brings Power and Persecution - Third Sermon 10. This is the province of the work, which the Holy Spirit is to begin in the kingdom of Christ. It is the teaching office of the apostles, which is to be of such a character that it must convict the world, as it finds it outside of Christ, and nobody is to be excepted, great, small, learned, wise, holy, of high or low condition, etc. This means in short, to bear the world's anger and to begin strife, and to be struck in the mouth for it. For the world, which rules on earth, will not and cannot endure its course to be disapproved; therefore persecution must arise, and one party must yield to the other, the weakest to the stronger. But, as the office of the apostles is to be only a teaching office, it cannot use worldly power and the world retains its external kingdom and power against the apostles. But, on the other hand, the apostles' office of conviction of the world shall likewise not be suppressed, because it is the office and work of the Holy Spirit, but shall overcome all and triumph; as Christ promised to them: "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand." Lk 21, 15.

Efficacious Preaching - Third Sermon 11. The Holy Spirit indeed convicted the world by preaching before from the beginning (for Christ ever rules, and is the same Christ "yesterday and to-day, and for ever," Heb13, 8) through the holy fathers, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and John the Baptist, and this conviction was upheld by divine power. But now the true beginning is to be made, and Christ will institute a public conviction, which is to be extended not only over the Jewish people, but over the whole world until the last day. This is to be much more efficacious and shall prevail, and hearts shall be pierced and wounded by it, even as is said in Acts 2, 37 of the first sermon of St. Peter on the day of Pentecost, that they were pricked in their heart by the preaching of the apostles, and so were enlightened and converted from their blindness. But if they will not accept this preaching, it shall be efficacious to their condemnation, and they shall stumble, fall and plunge into eternal ruin. So it shall prove a power unto life and salvation to believers, and a preaching and power unto death to others, as St. Paul says in 2 Cor 2, 16.

Convicting the World for Unbelief - Third Sermon 15. This is what the conviction of the Holy Spirit is directed against. It breaks in not piecemeal on certain works and actions, but reduces to nothing and condemns everything that reason and worldly wisdom propose. In short, he convicts and censures them in and for the very things they do not wish to be convicted in, but rather praised and lauded, as teaching and doing well and right.

He puts them to sin and shame with all their glory and openly charges them with knowing nothing of these things nor being able to teach how sin is to be known and gotten rid of, righteousness is to be attained and wrong is to be permitted. How much good is left now, when all this is laid low completely as by a thunderbolt? He himself explains the three particulars, and shows what each means and how each is to be preached. First he says: "Of Sin, because they believe not on me."

The Real Chief Sin - Third Sermon 16. The world itself must confess that it understands none of the things, which Christ here says of these three thoughts. For whoever heard this before among the wise and learned of the earth, or by what understanding was it produced, and in what books is it written that sin is not to believe on this Jesus of Nazareth? Does not Moses himself and all the world call that sin, which is done contrary to the law, by commission or omission, by word or deed or even by thought? Well, the child is named, and the article concluded and fixed by the Holy Spirit, that this is the sin of the world that it does not believe on Christ. Not that there is no sin against the law besides this; but that this is the real chief sin, which condemns the whole world even if it could be charged with no other sin.

Preaching This Conviction of Sin - Third Sermon 17. Thus this preaching of conviction is now to begin, if people are to be brought to right knowledge and to salvation. And the first thing shall be this: it makes all men, learned, high and wise, sinners; and sinners for this reason, because they do not believe on Christ. Hence God's wrath is declared, and the judgment of condemnation and eternal death (for this is what convicting in respect of sin means) is pronounced upon those who in the sight of the world are irreproachable, who even strive with earnestness to live according to the law and the ten commandments. Such were Paul before his conversion, and Nicodemus at first, and many others of like character among the Jews, to whom St. Paul also bears witness that they had a zeal for God, and followed after righteousness, but did not attain to righteousness (Rom 9, 31). So then this word "sin" briefly comprehends all life and conduct without and apart from faith in Christ.

Forgiveness from Faith - Third Sermon 20. This he has now done and has commanded to preach it through the Gospel, and he demands of all men (as we heard in the Easter sermons) repentance, that is, true knowledge of sin and earnest dread of God's wrath, and faith, that in such repentance God will for the sake of his Son forgive their sins. He that believes this preaching, has by this faith forgiveness of sins and is in the grace of God: and although he has not satisfied the law, still the remaining sin is not imputed to him, but is included in the forgiveness. Together with this faith the Holy Spirit is also given, so that he acquires love and delight to do the good and to resist sin. Therefore he is no longer condemned by the laws as a sinner, although he has not fulfilled it in every respect; but he is accepted by God through grace and forgiveness, and regarded as if he had no sins.

No Faith = No Forgiveness and Utter Condemnation - Third Sermon 21. But on the other hand, he who has not faith, cannot be rid of sin nor escape the wrath of God. For he has no forgiveness and abides under condemnation, even if he is very zealous to live according to the law; for he cannot fulfil it. Besides, he does not accept Christ, who brings forgiveness and bestows upon believers his own fulfilment, and also gives power to begin to keep the law from the heart.

22. Therefore, wheresoever this preaching is not accepted, there sin and condemnation must remain. Indeed, this unbelief then becomes the chief sin. For if faith in Christ were present, all sins would be forgiven; but now since they will not accept this Saviour by faith, they are justly condemned in their sins. And it avails them nothing, that they do many works of the law and outward divine services, and judge according to reason, that, as they sinned by works, they will pay by works, that is to say, put away sin and merit God's favor. For in so doing they simply undertake to blot out sin by sin, indeed, to atone for great sins by little ones, or to do great sins in order to lay aside others.

Holy Spirit Condemns Lack of Faith - Third Sermon 23. Therefore the Holy Spirit rightly and justly convicts, as sinful and condemned, all who have not faith in Christ. For where this is wanting, other sins in abundance must follow: God is despised and hated, and the entire first table is treated with disobedience. For if one does not know God in Christ, he cannot trust him for any good thing, nor call upon him from the heart, nor know his word; but he is entangled in the devil's lies, persecutes and blasphemes true doctrines, and continues in obstinacy and hardening, even to the degree of slandering the Holy Spirit. In consequence of this he also disobeys the other commandments in his life and station, so that he does to nobody what he ought to do, and has in his heart no true love, kindness, gentleness, patience, no delight in chastity, righteousness, faithfulness and truth; but practices the contrary, except where he has reason to fear disgrace or punishment.

Unbelievers Are Wicked, Despise God's Word - Third Sermon 25. Hence you see pictured here what the world is, nothing but a great company of wicked, stubborn people, who will not believe Christ, but despise God's Word, praise and accept the seduction of the devil, and defiantly run counter to all of God's commandments. They receive all the favors and benefits of God only to repay him with ingratitude and blasphemy. And yet in all this they are unwilling to be convicted or reproved, but wish to be called excellent, pious and saintly people. Such were the Jews, who crucified Christ and persecuted his apostles, and yet wished to claim the glory of having done God great service. Therefore the Holy Spirit must resist this and strive with the world and ever exercise his office of conviction with divine power and might until the last day.

Conflict Arises - Third Sermon 54. Then arises the conflict and one judgment runs contrary to the other. For the world also sets up this teaching, not only because it does not proceed from its wisdom nor from the great, distinguished men of the world, but also because it is preached by poor, lowly people. It opens its mouth wide against it, and says: Why, what more is it than that some, vagabond beggars wish to oppose established authority and by everybody, aye, was instituted by God himself? So it condemns, interdicts and curses both the doctrine and the preachers. Moreover it proceeds to shut up their mouths by threats of its power, resorts to severity and the sword, and will absolutely have its error and idolatry unassisted and unreproved, nay, preserved and defended against God and Christ as wisdom and holiness, and the preaching of the Gospel uprooted and exterminated.

55. But Christ says on the contrary, that the Holy Spirit shall retain the superior judgment and prevail with his convicting of this sentence of the world until the last day. But in consequence of this, Christians get into straits between door and hinge, and the cross and persecution begins.

Seriously, dude?

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Luther on the Word of the Holy Spirit - From His G...":

The "Righteous in Hell" declaration by the UOJists is simply another false teaching of UOJ which if we repeat in disgust and as an example of their spiritual depravity we will be told we're making up a charicature of UOJ which they don't teach.

The treacherous part of this false gospel of OUJ is that now having taken great pains to establish their own false way to righteousness - having abandoned One Justification By Faith Alone - they will find that the Triune God rejects and condemns their gospel and they will go about to find another god who will accept and defend UOJ. That god is already in the world and the religions that teach Universal Justification without Faith are many. By the time the Antichrist appears on his Day of Declaration - the anti-Pentecost - the Lutheran synods will be ready to lay thorn branches in his path.

The Lutheran Synods war against the righteousness of Christ - Faith, the Holy Ghost, God's Word and the Gospel of our Lord is surely the same persecution of the Antichrist prophesied of in Scripture.

Success Kid Wins Again. Fake Blogger Irritated by Hitler Satire.

"He has even gone so far as posting a comedic video clip of Hitler discussing UOJ."
Schoching! 

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ELCA Losses Continue, But the Synodical Conference (tm) Is Also Shrinking. In Common?They All Embraced Church Growth.

Here are a couple of updates from Pastor David Barnhardt's blog:

St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, PA passed its second vote to leave the ELCA and voted to affiliate with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) 91-4.  The vote was taken Sunday, March 25th.

Based on information provided in The Lutheran, April 2012, we add the following to the list of congregations successfully passing second vote to leave ELCA:

1. Christ Lutheran Church, (Bellegrove) Annville, PA
2. St. Peter Lutheran Church, Creston, NE
3. Zion Lutheran Church, Rockford, OH
4. Hazel Run Lutheran Church, Hazel Run, MN
5. Peace Lutheran Church, Holbrook, AZ
6. Writing Rock Lutheran Church, Alkabo, ND
7. St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Trufant, MI
8. St. Mark Lutheran Church (Lairdsville), Muncy, PA

Sexually Abused by Appellant Pastor Daniel Reeb - HiddenMysteries Spiritual Studies

Sexually Abused by Appellant Pastor Daniel Reeb - HiddenMysteries Spiritual Studies:

I suggest not reading this link, above, if you have a weak stomach, but it shows that Minnesota North, LCMS, has been covering up crimes against minors for a long time.

Ditto WELS and the rest.

'via Blog this'


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http://www.worldmag.com/articles/2181


Some 40 remaining members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregation had to accept responsibility and hundreds of thousands of dollars of liability for the secret sins of a former pastor 30 years ago-someone the newer members had never met. Just hours before confiscation of its property and a scheduled vote by the congregation to disband, unexpected help arrived from anonymous benefactors and the regional unit of the LCMS, and a settlement was reached. On June 7, members rededicated the church and themselves to the Lord, then gathered in the fellowship hall for a potluck luncheon to celebrate their new lease on life.

The dark past started coming alive in 1990 when David Samarzia, an accountant and former Redeemer member who had been undergoing therapy for alcoholism and social phobia, told a counselor of sexual contacts he'd had as a boy with Pastor Daniel Reeb in the 1960s. The minister, who has never married, had served both Redeemer and a small church in neighboring Wrenshall from 1961 to 1979. Mr. Samarzia, now 44 and a divorced father of two, said the abuse started when he was 11 and worsened in 1967 when he was 13, lasting until he was 16. The pastor was in his 30s at the time. Records showed the youth's grades nose-dived; he dropped out of team sports; he had emotional problems; and he tried to commit suicide in the family garage.

In 1991, after leaders at the Wrenshall church dismissed his warnings about taking a youth group to visit Mr. Reeb at his newest church in the Bahamas, Mr. Samarzia decided to take the matter to court. He sued Pastor Reeb for sexual battery, clergy malpractice, and breach of fiduciary duty. He sued Redeemer for negligence, claiming leaders and members knew about Pastor Reeb's abusive conduct but did nothing about it. He also sued the LCMS and its Minnesota North District.

After Mr. Samarzia's 1991 suit hit the news, three former Redeemer men called him and said they also had been abused by Pastor Reeb when they were boys. The families of three suicide victims called: The three had been boys at the church when Mr. Reeb was pastor. Church Mutual of Merrill, Wis., Redeemer's insurance company, settled out of court for $20,000 to $30,000 with the three others who came forward. Church and insurance company spokesmen said an apparent mix-up resulted in no settlement offer being made to Mr. Samarzia, an explanation he told WORLD he doesn't buy. "They kept fighting me," he said.

The trial, held in 1994, reportedly cost Church Mutual $400,000. A jury found that Redeemer's members knew, or should have known, that Pastor Reeb was abusing children. (In retrospect, trustee Graeme Wick said later, "we did turn a blind eye" toward the rumors, but no one knew children were being abused-or Pastor Reeb would have gone swiftly to jail.)

The jury agreed Mr. Samarzia did not realize until 1990 that he had been abused, keeping the case within the statute of limitations. It awarded him $643,800 from Redeemer and Mr. Reeb. The minister, deposed in the Bahamas, confessed his sins in depositions and to LCMS leaders, and was defrocked prior to the trial. (The statute of limitations spared him from criminal charges.) The LCMS and its regional unit were absolved of any blame.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the judgment. By the time the appeals were exhausted, the original award had grown to more than $800,000 with interest. Mr. Samarzia forgave the interest. Mr. Reeb, who had moved to Denver, had no money; it was up to Redeemer to pay. Church Mutual paid $215,000, the limit for Redeemer's liability policy. Most of it went to Mr. Samarzia's attorneys. Redeemer's members, whose numbers had thinned from about 150 to 40 during the litigation, said there was no way they could come up with the remaining $400,000. Attorneys for the LCMS advised the denomination to keep hands off lest a devastating precedent be set.

In January, Mr. Samarzia began the process of confiscating the church's assets. In February, he seized $12,138 from Redeemer's checking account. He served notice the church's property would be next. Eleventh-hour negotiations failed in May, though he did offer to settle for $200,000 and a public apology from the seven-member church council on behalf of all the church's members. They would have to acknowledge they had known of the abuse and did nothing about it. Church officers still considered the money beyond their reach, and some council members balked at the apology demand. They insisted they had not known what their minister was doing, and they didn't want to "lie" by saying they did. Several pointed out the abuse had occurred before they started attending Redeemer, or they were children at the time.

Mr. Samarzia went ahead with a sheriff's auction to sell the contents of the church. Some church members picketed, waving signs that implored people not to bid. Some signs criticized the LCMS. No bids were made for the religious contents. Following a few modest bids for small shop and maintenance items, Mr. Samarzia bid $25,000 for all the contents. He agreed to let the contents remain in place while Redeemer's members continued negotiations.

By the time of the auction, the church's plight had generated national publicity. An anonymous corporate donor pledged $100,000. Other pledges came in by telephone and mail. The LCMS regional office stepped in with an offer to lend Redeemer the $84,000 it still needed so the settlement could proceed promptly. Attorneys drew up a carefully worded apology to Mr. Samarzia and his family, along with an acceptance of responsibility, and the council signed.

Redeemer's leaders say they are eager to start rebuilding. A pastor who visits once a month to conduct communion services serves the church. A lay leader is in charge and preaches the other Sundays. A handful of potential new members were among a dozen visitors on rededication Sunday, signaling Redeemer may have a future after all.

The issue is far from settled at Overlake, though. Pastor Ken Hutcherson of 1,500-congregant Antioch Bible Church in Bellevue, Wash., a member of the Eastside Steering Committee, wants Overlake's elders to make an "honest report" or resign. "They need to get God's name off the city's list of laughingstocks."

As for preventive measures, professionals offer such steps as these: Churches should have a written policy on sexual abuse and harassment for staff members. Victims should be encouraged to report inappropriate conduct promptly; they should be treated respectfully and offered help if needed; their complaints should be investigated thoroughly. Abusers should be disciplined as set forth in the policy and according to biblical principles. And those who witness misconduct should speak up.

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Various Lutheran sects, but DP Ed Werner is not listed. This long list is not complete by any means.

Harrison and McCain - UOJ Stormtroopers

YouTube description:
The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, shares the words of Paul in Romans 4 and explains how Christ was put to death for our transgressions and was raised from the dead for our justification. "We are declared righteous in Christ," Harrison said. "It's objective. It's outside of us. The deed is done. There is nothing you can do to earn Heaven or gain salvation. It's done. Jesus did it. Just believe it." [GJ - Was this designed to appeal to Babtists?]

Paul McCain's Meditation on Good Friday, LQ:
"As a result of that first good Friday, we have peace with God. His love is poured out into our lives, flowing over us, a deep scarlet rich love, pouring out just as the blood poured forth from the cross."

I was not staggered to find McCain using words similar to Harrison's, since Pope Paul the Unlearned was ghost-writing for Al Barry long ago. That administration consisted of nine years of preparing everyone for Kieschnick, doctrinal anesthesia delivered one drip at a time.

Another reason for the convergence is the need for UOJ fanatics to stop by Romans 4 and divert people from its message.

Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Harrison and McCain are Enthusiasts because they talk about Jesus but tear down the bridge to reach Him. That bridge is the efficacious Word of God. Since I could kelm McCain's words, I will do a little analysis of them. Harrison's are similar, although he confuses the issue with appeals to Luther.

Pope Paul says we have peace with Christ because of Good Friday. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand...

Harrison and McCain are hiding their real message, that we are justified without faith. That is why they are allergic to the actual words of Romans 4:24-5:2. Their method is shameful and dishonest. Since both like to pretend how scholarly they are, I will post my favorite graphics, refuting their foolishness. They reject Luther and the Book of Concord while posturing about Luther and the Confessions.

1. O Lord, look down from heaven, behold
And let Thy pity waken:
How few are we within Thy Fold,
Thy saints by men forsaken!
True faith seems quenched on every hand,
Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;
Dark times have us o'ertaken.

2. With fraud which they themselves invent
Thy truth they have confounded;
Their hearts are not with one consent
On Thy pure doctrine grounded.
While they parade with outward show,
They lead the people to and fro,
In error's maze astounded.

3. May God root out all heresy
And of false teachers rid us
Who proudly say: "Now, where is he
That shall our speech forbid us?
By right or might we shall prevail;
What we determine cannot fail;
We own no lord and master."


Hymn 260
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 12
Author: Martin Luther, 1523
Translated by: composite
Titled: "Ach Gott vom Himmel, sieh darein"
Tune: "Ach Gott vom Himmel"
1st Published in: Enchiridion
Town: Erfurt, 1524

They hatch more Stormtroopers at the Synodical Conference (tm) seminaries.

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Harrison and McCain - UOJ Stormtroopers":

Harrison prefers the term Fanatic over Enthusiast. He spent minutes during the 2012 Emmaus conference explaining his preference.

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LPC has left a new comment on your post "Harrison and McCain - UOJ Stormtroopers":

The sophistry of this Prez is subtle and in fact potent than all the rest of UOJers I have seen. Notice how he uses the pronouns "we", "our". He means these words in the generic sense. Yet this is not how St. Paul uses these words in Romans 4. There he meant "we believers", "our" meant "our" as in things common to those who believe etc.

There is more sophistication in his sophistry, the we and our phrases are packed with double entendres.

LPC

The Pileated Woodpecker Sighted Again

Our guests got to watch the pileated woodpecker
work his way around the oak tree.
One favorite food is - oak borers.

Today Sassy took off after a creature on the ground. She has no chance against birds or squirrels, but she tries anyway.

The bird landed on a nearby tree and posed in profile as if to establish a safe harbor. It was a pileated woodpecker.

Here is more information and a recording of its laughing call.

They are almost the size of crows and perhaps the silliest birds to see. The photos do not reveal the clownish look of the bird, which is probably enhanced by its impressive size.

As some of you guessed, they are the model for Woody the Woodpecker, a favorite cartoon of the past.

I have had downy and hairy woodpeckers at the suet, but I was not looking for the pileated. The pileated needs about 150 acres to feed, so they are far less numerous. Counting the dead trees in the ravine behind our house (four or more), we have the habitat.

I have heard the drumming, too, which Woody did in the cartoons. We have some holes in our siding, one seeming to hold an acorn. That may be his work.

I am glad our goofy dog scared the bird into the tree, and even happier I put up plenty of suet over the winter. That is supposed to bring them closer. The front yard has some hanging in a protected area, with bushes for cover and perching, water on the ground, Nyjer and sunflower seed feeders. As bird-watchers know, an abundance of food, water, and shelter will create a little convention site, attracting more species.

A bag of suet costs about $2 a month to maintain. I enjoy seeing the splendors of Creation, which we take for granted.

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WOODY WOODPECKER SONG
Kay Kyser
- words and music by George Tibbles and Ramey Idries
- introduced in the cartoon film "Wet Blanket Policy" and
nominated for an Academy Award
- lyrics as recorded by The Kay Kyser Orchestra

Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
Oh, that's the Woody Woodpecker song
Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
Yeah, he's a-peckin' it all day long

He pecks a few holes in a tree to see
If a redwood's really red
And it's nothing to him, on the tiniest whim
To peck a few holes in your head

Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
Oh, that's the Woody Woodpecker's tune
Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
Makes the other woodpeckers swoon

Though it doesn't make sense to the dull and the dense
And the lady woodpeckers long for
Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
That's the Woody Woodpecker song

------ instrumental interlude ------

Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
Woody Woodpecker's serenade
Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
On the woodpecker hit parade

Though he can't sing a note, there's a frog in his throat
All his top notes come out blurred
He's the ladies' first choice, with a laugh in his voice
He gives all his rivals the bird

Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
He'll be settlin' down some day
Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
He'll be hearin' the preacher say

For the rest of your life you'll be Woody and wife
And the choir will sing along with
Ho-ho-ho ho ho! Ho-ho-ho ho ho!
The Woody Woodpecker song.

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