ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
1. From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the Redeemer's name be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord;
Eternal truth attends Thy Word:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore
Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #15
Text: Psalm 117
Author: Isaac Watts, 1719
Tune: "Lasst uns erfreuen"
1st Published in: Geistliche Kirchengesaeng
Town: Cologne, 1623
1. Father, who the light this day
Out of darkness didst create,
Shine upon us now, we pray,
While within Thy courts we wait.
Wean us from the works of night,
Make us children of the light.
2. Savior, who this day didst break
The dark prison of the tomb,
Bid our slumbering souls awake,
Shine through all their sin and gloom;
Let us, from our bonds set free,
Rise from sin and live to Thee.
3. Blessed Spirit, Comforter,
Sent this day from Christ on high,
Lord, on us Thy gifts confer,
Cleanse, illumine, sanctify.
All Thy fulness shed abroad;
Lead us to the truth of God.
The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #8
Text: Genesis 1:3
Author: Julia A. Elliot, 1835, cento, alt.
Composer: Ludvig M. Lindeman, 1871
Tune: "Fred til Bod"
1. Come, follow me, the Savior spake,
All in My way abiding;
Deny yourselves, the world forsake,
Obey My call and guiding.
Oh, bear the cross, whate'er betide,
Take my example for your guide.
2. I am the Light, I light the way,
A godly life displaying;
I bid you walk as in the day,
I keep your feet from straying.
I am the Way, and well I show
How you must sojourn here below.
3. My heart abounds in lowliness,
My soul with love is glowing,
And gracious words my lips express,
With meekness overflowing.
My heart, My mind, My strength, My all,
To God I yield, on Him I call.
4. I teach you how to shun and flee
What harms your soul's salvation,
Your heart from every guile to free,
From sin and its temptation.
I am the Refuge of the soul
And lead you to your heavenly goal.
5. Then let us follow Christ, our Lord,
And take the cross appointed
And, firmly clinging to His Word,
In suffering be undaunted.
For who bears not the battle's strain
The crown of life shall not obtain.
Hymn #421
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Matthew 16:24
Author: Johann Scheffler, 1668, cento
Translated by: Charles W. Schaeffer, 1896, alt.
Titled: "Mir nach, spricht Christus, unser Held"
Composer: J. Hermann Schein, 1628
Tune: "Mach's mit mir, Gott"
Sassy and I learned to calm barking, fenced dogs by asking, "Who's a good dog?" They stop as if wondering, "How do they know me?" I point at the dogs and say, "YOU are a good dog." Barking stops.
Today, Alaska - a Great Pyrenees - was at her fence, so Sassy went over to say hello and play a little tag, with each dog on its own side. Suddenly, Alaska was bounding toward me, as if defeating the physical barrier of the fence with special powers.
Imagine puppy energy, puppy playfulness, and full-sized dog strength. Alaska played with me, Sassy barking in happiness or jealousy, until one owner came out. She was already frustrated with this giant puppy chewing off his rope. For now, the fence was useless.
Skinny-Bo was like that next door, but he was normal size with a high energy and mischief level. When I blocked Bo's frontal attacks, he ran full speed at me and collided with my back. But after a time, I saw down and talked to him and petted him. He was starving for affection, like many dogs which are bought for cuteness and not given the companionship they crave.
I graded three classes today. Covid sent everyone online, and suddenly each institution needed trained online teachers and supervisors. But I would rather see the masks and capricious fake laws go away.
I am working to finish the Walther book, then garden photos, then the book on Bible texts and translations.
The Wind in the Willows is often called the best adult children's book, but Nesbit is even better.
Nesbit's "children's books" are read regularly by famous authors. They are in a world of their own, and she had a terrible life.
