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.

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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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Tim Tebow wows crowd of 15,000 at Texas mega-church - NYPOST.com

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow wows crowd of 15,000 at Texas mega-church - NYPOST.com:


GEORGETOWN, Texas — A swaying, singing crowd of 15,000 people clutching Bibles and footballs climbed a hill yesterday to hear “God’s quarterback’’ address an event that was half religious revival and half tailgate party.
Tim Tebow, the Jets’ hoped-for savior, was in Georgetown for the Easter service of the Celebration megachurch, where, at his request, he joined Pastor Joe Champion for a talk-show-style chat about the Lord.
“The number-one thing for me is knowing that everything we have is a gift from God,’’ he told the adoring crowd. “The talents that God has given us, make the most of it.’’

PHOTOS: ERICH SCHLEGEL
DEEP IN THE HEARTS: Some likely converted Jets fans were among the 15,000 worshippers who gathered yesterday in Georgetown, Texas, to hear quarterback Tim Tebow (above) speak about his Christian faith.

DEEP IN THE HEARTS: Some likely converted Jets fans (above) were among the 15,000 worshippers who gathered yesterday in Georgetown, Texas, to hear quarterback Tim Tebow speak about his Christian faith.

One local woman summed it up best: “That’s what Texas is all about: Jesus and football.’’
Jamie Gonzalez, 20, of the town of Pflugerville, shrieked in a moment of ecstasy, “He’s God’s quarterback! And he came here to Georgetown. It’s just awesome.”
Many of the believers said New Yorkers are lucky now to be in Tebow’s presence.
“I’ve been to New York a few times, and there were so many people who were just lost,” said Wynter Veal-Drummond, who drove 17 hours to join Tebow’s “congregation.” “I think God sent him there for a reason — because there are so many people in New York who don’t have a relationship with God.”
Boomer Sandoval, 23, a student from Round Rock, Texas, agreed.
“I think New York needs Tim Tebow,’’ he said. “It’s a hectic place, and I think people there get caught up in money and all that.”
After giving shout-outs to other Bible ballers, including Knick phenom Jeremy Lin, Tebow told his acolytes that as a boy, he had spent a sleepless night convinced he was heading to hell. A Hail Mary pass to Jesus saved him.
Then he drew applause when he blasted athletes who spend more time worrying about Bentleys than benevolence,
“As an athlete, I think it’s an obligation and a responsibility to be a good role model,” he said. “It’s so frustrating to me when you have athletes saying, ‘I’m not a role model.’ Well, yes you are. You’re just not a good one.’ ’’
Some Hispanic football fans found themselves in a awkward position because of the rivalry between backup QB Tebow and starter Mark Sanchez.
“Sanchez used to be our Mexican savior,’’ said Tebow convert Ralph Ragios. “But not anymore. I’m a Tebow guy.’’


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/st_tim_sermon_xlFluNbDxoLeiswiCUNHpJ#ixzz1rYAl3x7X


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