The Creation Garden Emerging

Blue-green Humpback Whale Hostas. The ribbing is intense, as Prince Charles would say. 

The rain let up today, with some mist to remind us it could continue. Rainwater continued down the sloping front yards for a long time, especially those with no mulch. Ranger Bob gave me a truckload, and I used most of it before the rain. Wood mulch absorbs the rain, and the rotting wood feeds the soil, holding water back and in the soil.

Creation is all around us and often not noticed.
Who did this? - John 1:3 - The Logos.

Roses love lots of rainwater, so our old and new ones leafed out and built buds ready for blooming. The bonanza of usable nitrogen also greened up the other plants and sent them out of the ground:

1. Joe Pye Weed
2. Bee Balm
3. Poke Weed (free bird feeders in the backyard)
4. Lilies 
5. Calla Lilies
6. Violets
7. Wild Strawberries
8. Dandelions (an herb used by Hummers, good for the soil, great for its leaves as salad, and good for a coffee substitute in the roots - I'll pass on that)
9. Mountain Mint and Cat Mint
10. Clethra leafed out, Hostas everywhere.

I laboriously listed them because they are great to see popping up as the Daffodils are fading away, far too slowly.

If something is growing up without having much value, I let it grow a while and cut it off at the ground level. Deep roots are good for the soil, soil creatures, and fertility in general. Some plants, like Spirea are obnoxious, so they get dug out. 

Our next weeding will be the wild roses blooming early and then snagging gardeners the rest of the summer. 

Joe Pye is definitely a bully plant, positive and negative. Based on Carbon Cowboy information, I could grow them just for soil and drainage improvement. On the bullying side, they easily dominate most plants, but they can be cut back. On the positive side, they attract Hummers, Butterflies, and bees.

The two backyards got dog-patchy for various reasons, so they are being revised this year. Last fall, Howard removed and mulched over the former Triple Crown blackberry patch, aka Jackson's Folly. I started some Clethra there last fall and now they are like tiny sticks with tiny flowers. 

A few Joe Pye will fill in the two backyard gardens and allow space for future bulbs.

Last fall, Dottie removed the Spirea and moved the Hosta mostly to the backyard, under the formerly jungle-like green fence. Some Hostas burst into perfect form with less sunlight.

Hostas seem to be readily eaten when they are tiny, tasty, crunchy, appealing. However, the critters left a few behind, so small ones are gathering momentum in the front yard.

Elderberries are prized for their medicinal value.

 Elderflowers are covering with beneficial insects, then become Elderberries.

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In This Issue

Daily Handbook In Good and Evil Days by John Frederick Starck The Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 5, Matthias Loy, Editor Christian Dogmatics by J. N. Kildahl Sermons on the Epistles by Matthias Loy Sweet First Fruits: A Tale To Muslims On The Truth And Virtue Of The Christian Religion by Sir William Muir

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Daily Handbook In Good and Evil Days by John Frederick Starck “For nearly [three] hundred years Starck’s Daily Handbook has been a standard book of devotion; and it is not likely to be superseded by anything superior for many years to come. First published in 1728, it was at once received with great favor. As new editions were demanded, the original dimensions of the work were increased by the addition of other prayers, until finally, in the edition of 1776, edited by the son of J. F. Starck, the book appeared in its completed form, containing prayers for almost every conceivable time and emergency. “The [goal of the translation] has been to give the book as smooth an English rendering as if in the first place it had been written in English… Much care and time have been devoted to the Scripture verses and the Scriptural phraseology, which form so large a part of Starck’s Handbook, and to which it owes so much of its beauty and value. — Joseph Stump Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. John Frederick Starck (1680-1756) wrote 939 hymns and is best known for his Daily Handbook. Joseph Stump (1866-1935) studied at Capital University and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He taught at the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary, where he was also President. Book Contents Translator’s Preface Book One. For General Use. Part 1. Morning, Noon, And Evening Devotions. Part 2. For The Festivals Of The Church. Part 3. Prayers For Various Spiritual And Bodily Benefits. Book Two. For the Use of the Afflicted. The Afflicted Person Finds Comfort In God’s Omnipotence. The Afflicted Person Comforts Himself With The Thought Of God’s Love. The Afflicted Person Comforts Himself With The Hope Of God’s Help. The Afflicted Person Comforts Himself With The Thought Of God’s Mercy. The Afflicted Person Meditates Upon The Divine Promises. The Afflicted Person Meditates Upon God’s Purpose In Sending Affliction. The Afflicted Person Prays For Patience And Strength. The Afflicted Person Prays For The Alleviation Of His Sufferings. The Afflicted Person Reflects Upon The Joyful End Of His Cross. Hymn: God of my life, whose gracious power. (L.M.) Widows In Their Sorrow Pour Out Their Heart Before God. Hymn: Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish. (11,10.) Forsaken Orphans Tell Their Troubles To God. The Afflicted Person Complains Of The Weakness Of His Faith. The Afflicted Person Complains Of Sinful, Evil, And Blasphemous Thoughts. Hymn: Weary of earth, and laden with my sin. (10s.) Book Three. For the Use of the Sick. The Sick Person Prays For Patience. The Sick Person Prays For God’s Help. The Sick Person Realizes That He Is Mortal. The Sick Person Resigns Himself To Live Or Die. The Sick Person Realizes That The Cross And Affliction Come From God. The Sick Person Recognizes The Benefits Of Sickness. The Sick Person Places His Trust In The Almighty Power Of God. The Sick Person Calls To Mind The Baptismal Covenant. The Sick Person Trusts In The Mercy Of The Triune God. The Sick Person Would Bear His Sufferings Without Murmuring. The Sick Person Prepares Himself To Partake Of The Lord’s Supper. The Sick Person Prays To God For The Forgiveness Of Sins. The Sick Person Prays Before Partaking Of The Lord’s Supper. The Sick Person Prays After Partaking Of The Lord’s Supper. The Sick Person Prays When He Takes His Medicine. The Sick Person Prays For The Alleviation Of His Pain. The Sick Person Prays God Not To Forsake Him. The Sick Man Meditates Upon His Death. The Sick Person Meditates Upon The Grave And The Resurrection. The Christian Thanks God For His Restoration To Health. Scripture Passages And Short Prayers For Those Who Were Sick And Have Been Restored To Health. Book Four. For the Use of the Dying and Those Who Surround Them. The Dying Person Places Himself Before God’s Judgment. The Dying Person Forgives And Asks Forgiveness. The Dying Person Bids Farewell To His Dear Ones, And Gives Them His Blessing. The Dying Person Commends Himself To God. The Dying Person Meditates Upon Heaven. The Dying Person Meditates Upon The Promises Of God. The Dying Person Meditates Upon The Joy And Fellowship Of Heaven. The Dying Person Comforts Himself With The Thought Of God’s Help. The Dying Person Desires To Die Trusting In Jesus. The Dying Person Prays For A Happy End. Sentences, Scripture Passages, And Prayers With Which The Bystanders May Comfort The Dying One. The Bystanders Encourage The Dying One. Prayer Of The Bystanders After One Has Died. Book Five. Prayers for Special Occasions. The Christian Praises God On His Birthday. The Christian Thanks God After The Harvest Has Been Gathered. The Christian Prays During A Thunderstorm. The Christian Thanks God After The Thunderstorm Is Past. The Christian Prays To God When Starting Upon A Journey. Prayer Of One Who Is Sick Among Strangers. The Christian Thanks God When He Has Returned Safe From A Journey. The Christian Prays In Time Of War The Christian Thanks God For The Restoration Of Peace. The Christian Prays In Time Of Famine. The Christian Prays In Time Of Pestilence. The Christian Prays During A Conflagration. The Christian Prays When He Has Met With Loss By Fire. The Christian Thanks God When The Conflagration Has Been Extinguished. The Christian Prays In Time Of Excessive Rain. The Christian Prays In Time Of Drought. Books Six And Seven. Prayers For Use In Pregnancy, Labor, And Confinement, And For The Barren. Preface. For Use In Pregnancy. The Pregnant Woman Reflects Upon Her Condition As Being Well Pleasing To God. The Pregnant Woman Thanks God For Her Fruitfulness. The Pregnant Woman Commends Herself And Her Offspring To God. The Pregnant Woman Calls To Mind God’s Promises. The Pregnant Woman Rejoices In The Almighty Power Of God. The Pregnant Woman Comforts Herself With The Hope Of God’s Help. For Women In Travail. Devotions At The Approach Of Labor. Meditation At The Approach Of Labor. Scripture Passages And Short Prayers To Be Used During Labor. For The Use Of Mothers The Mother Thanks God For Her Happy Delivery. The Mother’s Morning Prayer. The Mother’s Evening Prayer. The Mother Offers Up A Prayer For Her Child. Prayer When The Child Is About To Be Baptized. Prayer Of Pious Parents For Their Children. The Mother Prepares For Her Churching. The Pious Mother Thanks God When She Weans Her Child. Consolation For The Barren. Order a Printed Copy Print Copy: Daily Handbook In Good and Evil Days by John Frederick Starck - “Lutheran Librarian” edition Download the eBook PDF EPUB - [Apple, Kobo and other devices] MOBI+AZW3 - [Kindle] If you request an EPUB or MOBI version, you can expect to receive it within a few hours. If you don't hear back by the next day, check your spam or junk mail folder. This is especially true for yahoo mail. You can also request a copy of this or any Lutheran Library e-book by sending an email with the title and format you'd like. Enjoy the book! Publication Information Lutheran Library edition first published: 2020 Copyright: CC BY 4.0 Read more

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Daily Handbook In Good and Evil Days by John Frederick Starck “For nearly [three] hundred years Starck’s Daily Handbook has been a standard book of devotion; and it is not likely to be superseded by anything superior for many years to come. First published in 1728, it was at once received with great favor. As new editions were demanded, the original dimensions of the work were increased by the addition of other prayers, until finally, in the edition of 1776, edited by the son of J. F. Starck, the book appeared in its completed form, containing ... Read more The Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 5, Matthias Loy, Editor “This Magazine is designed to supply the want, long since felt, of a Lutheran periodical devoted to theological discussion. Its aim will be the exposition and defense of the doctrines of the Church as confessed in the Book of Concord. Theology in all its departments is embraced within its scope, though for the present special attention will be given to the controverted subject of predestination.” Matthias Loy (1828-1915) was a giant of American Lutheranism. He served as president of the ... Read more Christian Dogmatics by J. N. Kildahl “This book possesses distinction as one of very few systematic theologies written from the viewpoint of Scandinavian-American Lutheran pietism, a movement which combined the Norwegian/Haugean and the Swedish/Rosenian traditions. It has been observed that, in general, the four major earmarks of pietism are experiential Christianity, Biblical focus, holy living, and opposition to formalism. “Pietism held an important place among Scandinavian-Americans during portions of the 19th ... Read more Sermons on the Epistles by Matthias Loy “The mistake of those who direct all their efforts toward making men better and improving human society by teaching and enforcing the law… is of serious consequence to the souls of men… It can neither save their souls nor make them good… The only help for us is in Christ, without whom we can do nothing; and that help consists first of all in the forgiveness of our sins, which separate us from God and all that is good, and deprive us of all true peace and joy. Therefore the Christian life ... Read more Sweet First Fruits: A Tale To Muslims On The Truth And Virtue Of The Christian Religion by Sir William Muir “Sweet First Fruits is a… story primarily designed to give scope and opportunity for presenting to the Muslim reader the proofs of the Christian faith, the purity and genuineness of our Bible, its attestation by the Koran, and the consequent obligation on Muslims to obey its precepts. The argument is developed, in the dialectic style, between a party of Christian converts and their former companions. The Muslim world has never, since the rise of Islam, had an appeal made to it under ... Read more Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 1, Matthias Loy, Editor Has the Lord declared the whole world righteous? The answer to this question shapes one’s deep understanding of the gospel. The Columbus Theological Magazine dedicated its first volume to examining this subject in depth. The contents of this book have never been successfully refuted. “The doctrine which has been taught in the Lutheran Church during these three centuries has been established by the Scriptures, and defended against all foes, to the satisfaction of a host of eminent ... Read more The Life and Deeds of Martin Luther by Fick and Loy “Formerly the whole Evangelical Lutheran Church was unanimous in the conviction that Luther was the divinely commissioned Reformer of the Church and the herald of divine truth. But now (many) deny him this honor. They maintain, of course without the least proof, that he erred in various articles of faith, and do not hesitate to dispute his vocation as a Reformer. How easily, under such circumstances, may not even faithful Lutherans be led to waver in their faith, especially when ... Read more May God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace. From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org