Starting To Photograph Creation Garden Flowers, 2022

 Veterans Honor Roses

 Caladium - Christmas

Shasta Daisys - first bloom in 2022.

Stand-Off, Squirrel versus Bluejay - Mixed Nuts in the Middle

 

 Bluebirds are loved because they are harder to find, but abundant in our area.

 Bluejays are rascals with big personalities. They sing out for their friends and screech "jay" when they are unhappy - or just hungry.

I had some mixed nuts that were stale, so I thought the creatures would enjoy them. "Nothing happened!" as they say in ELDONA. I looked later and in one corner of the barrel lid was a resolute squirrel. In the opposing corner, a large Bluejay, come to claim his prize. In the middle, mixed nuts.

Neither budged, doubtless because a move - as Nimzowitsch observed - can easily be a weakening. Pecking at the squirrel could mean being grabbed by its greedy paws and sharp claws. Jumping the Bluejay could mean sailing through the air and landing on the ground.

In a flash, the Bluejay snatched a large nut and took off, all in one motion. The squirrel and I were stunned. The jay ate his prize far away, but the squirrel stayed for a seven-course meal.

Nearby I have the so-called squirrel proof bird feeder, full of "squirrel food," as the package said. That means mostly corn, a few tiny peanuts in a shell, and a few sunflower seeds. It is ideal for all the small birds, and it sees action all day. The squirrels seem to look at it as beneath them. They are a troop of at least five who constantly search the barrel tops for various deluxe food items, from raw peanuts (no shell) to frozen blueberries, which definitely attract a lot of birds.

I have set up two cinder blocks to serve as mini-dining tables. I sprinkle some food on them twice a day. I learned they were also great step-stones to the barrel tops and steps down as well. The squirrels run from the kiddie pool to the block to the barrel and back again, according to who is fighting and winning the food.

 The Goldfinch is just a colorless finch until the new livery arrives. Then he is a flash of color eating his favorite seeds.

LCMS (and WELS) - Changing Testament to Calvin's Covenant

 

From: Tom Fisher <tomfisher99@yahoo.com>

To: Pastor Greg Jackson <greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2022, 03:46:00 PM CDT

Subject: Letter to LCMS President Harrison

Please post the following letter I wrote to LCMS President Harrison and signed my name. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ especially in Holy Communion.

June 12, 2022

Dear Pastor and President Harrison,

I am always thankful for the pastoral care you gave me years ago at Zion!!  I was so upset and troubled about the liberalism in our dear synod.  Now I am even more deeply troubled by LCMS pastors and even district presidents changing Christ's last will and testament into a Calvinistic covenant during the words of institution.  This Sunday morning central Illinois district president Mark Miller changed Christ's last will and testament into a Calvinistic covenant during the words of institution. Now "that little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol. 35, pg 84). I firmly believe Christ my Testator gives me His last will and testament, bequeathing to me forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Holy Communion. Luther confirmed this when he said: "So in this matter, you must above all else take heed to your heart, that you believe the words of Christ, and admit their truth, when He says to you and to all, ' This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84)  It is unthinkable and impossible for me to agree to any changes to Christ's last will and testament... Why?... Because it is a horrible sin to me to change Christ's last will and testament.  Martin Chemnitz the second Luther, shares my belief:

"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not allowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant, if it is confirmed by adding or subtracting: how much greater sin it is therefore to change or mutilate the testament of the Son of God." (Martin Chemnitz, Ministry, Word, and sacrament, CPH, 1981, pg. 122). Now many in our synod we're very unhappy when our new hymnal held to this little word 'testament' in Holy Communion.  Many argued against this favoring 'covenant' instead. But "that little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled for us in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84) So our synod wisely held with 'testament' in opposition to all the corrupted modern translations (NKJV, ESV, NIV etc.) Trusting Luther's Bible and the King James Bible and the clear meaning conveyed by the Greek word itself: 'testament'. 

Pastor and President Harrison, I urge you to please confirm LCMS pastors and district presidents hold to Christ's words as they stand in the Bible and our liturgy. "That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84)

I am unable to partake of Holy Communion from LCMS pastors and district presidents who change Christ's Last Will and Testament into a Calvinistic covenant.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Bird and Squirrel Spa Opens with a Splash

 

Sassy and I took our morning walk first, because she insisted. Next, I watered a few places in the Rose Garden and the Butterfly Garden. Roses and Borage are doing well. Mature Joe Pye is growing fast heaven-ward, twice engulfing a rose bush. The roses still bloom, wrapped in scented leaves, and I cut excess JPs back to allow some sun.

I needed to wash and refill the kiddie pools re-imagined as bird baths. Instead, I dumped the dirty water and put a sprinkler nearby to fill the pools and provide a water-park for everyone. They already had some popcorn on the two barrels.

I came back to a happy bird and squirrel riot. The food was gone, squirrels and birds were having mock battles over the water. One squirrel made a flying leap into the pool, scaring birds away. They came back to harass the squirrels.

A bit later, two pools and a shallow dish had water for everyone and "dry" areas for landing. I turned off the water to preserve the shallows and allow vegetation to drip down for that outdoor shower experience.

Birds and squirrels are happy to use up the food I sprinkle around, but they love water the most during a drought.

We can see in the layers of Creation, the purpose for each creature (not evolute). They are divinely programmed, engineered for certain tasks, which they carry out tirelessly. Birdlings and squirrelings get fed when they are young and vulnerable. They learn how to get their own food. The obvious answer is "Eat at Jacksons and leave us alone. The trouble with you is you are spoiled. Spoiled rotten!"

When the creatures splash the water, the tiny animals flourish - earthworms, slugs, beetles, ants, moles, spiders of all kinds. Enemies do not wipe out the competition but control it with measured, carefully determined (by Whom?) measures. Daisies are now blooming, attracting a type of outdoor fly that plants eggs on, in, or inside destructive-to-plants insects. The babies hatch and devour the unfortunate victims, then mature into parents who lay eggs on, in, or near the insects they devoured as new-borns.

Free Online Source for Books and Video - https://erenow.net/

 A. E. Smylie helmed the licorice factory in Moline, clearly immune to the jokes about his ironic name. 

The Lutheran Librarian, Alec Satin, sent me a link to the most incredible site for free historical books - https://erenow.net/

Welcome to Erenow

“A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.”

KJV Proverbs Will Be the Ongoing Scripture Lessons on the Blog

 Duerer

The Pastoral Epistles are difficult to work into the current schedule, so the upcoming book projects are:

1. Finishing the I Am Sermons;
2. All the Parables - next.
3. Proverbs - probably third for printing.

KJV Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Wisdom is lacking in our society today. The reason might be the abundance of silly success books creating a poverty of Scriptural knowledge. Not only is there a famine of the Word, but also a desecration of the Apostolic Word - or Majority Text, preserved, by God's will, in the King James Version.

The antidote is simple and almost free - using the KJV Proverbs, marking them in a favorite study version, and making them part of daily work, worship, and family. If the Word of God is always efficacious, then it only makes sense to apply God's wisdom to the world's follies.

To receive instruction, to seek wisdom - that is poison to the foolish, ignorant, and superficial. We are either conditioned to learn God's Word through parents, or teachers, or elders, or by experiencing the calamities of life. The foolish pursuit of pleasure leads people to horrible consequences where they cannot find any escape or answers to their agony. Proverbs give us a view of life which is accurate, God-inspired, and comforting. 

Spiritual wisdom, coming from the Spirit active in the Word, is a habit. God's wisdom moves us to study what He teaches us, to grow in the knowledge of God. Many pastors, teachers, and parents fail to grasp the eternal truths when today's successes seem so appealing. The beginning of wisdom seems uncomfortable, but this is God speaking to us through King David and King Solomon.

KJV Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Here is a great divide, with a chasm between, greater than the Grand Canyon. Knowledge and wisdom begin with realizing the awesome power, might, and grace of the Lord. Just as copper thieves cut into power lines for the metal, so do people merchandize God for their own gain. Fools do not want wisdom and instruction - they want success, popularity, and admiration. Like the Prodigal Son, they want what they think is theirs, and run off to lose everything. They waste their inheritance on fast women and slow horses, without gaining wisdom or an honest vocation. They do not listen to their fathers or mothers, or respect them at all. In fact, they will lecture their parents about the poor job father and mother have done, missing the irony of their self-centered wrath. Children may be late in realizing this - as many adults confess with sadness - their parents are ornaments and treasures to love, admire, and cherish. A frequent question is - "Who would you most like to sit down and talk with for 30 minutes." Many answer, "My mother. I would give anything to have that pleasure again." Men say, "It took me a long time to realize how much my father taught me, how the rough language prepared me for life."

Dogpatch - Only 75 Miles From Here - Is Now Marble Falls

Is Creation a Minor Issue or the Elephant in the Room?

Just as the 1960s will not go away, the 19th century controls the 21st century - not a good sign of progress. So many major issues remain from the  1800s:

1. Count Tischendorf and the Pope unveiled the fraudulent Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, two documents ideal for undermining the New Testament. The fallacies of watered-down Christianity have conquered the critics of their antagonistic craft, dragging down every denomination by the start of this century. 

2. ELCA Pastor Peter Marty (son of Martin Marty) is both a radical Left editor of The Christian Century and an enthused Church Growth parish pastor. The poorly educated editor of Christian News continues the Otten mission of supporting false texts (The Beck Bible). Like Marty, Cub Editor Hale supports Universalism and despises Justification by Faith.

2. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels criticized British colonialism, replacing it over time with Marxist colonialism. The slavery of the masses was not vanquished but began working under a new management. Why be limited to African slavery when the rest of the world could be also be chained in place, a bright and shiny New World Order?

3. Royal families were dethroned to make way for store-bought kings and queens. Instead of Queen Victoria, England has socialism, where it began in the British Museum Reading Room. Equally powerful, France enjoys the suppression of freedom under its dictatorial government, just as Germany and Cana do. The sum of all fears is gathered up in the current American political leadership.

4. Completing the task, the seminaries of American Christianity are dedicated to removing the Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek from the pot-infused minds of their students, who have more in common with Imperial Rome than with our Founding Fathers. The denominational leaders, whether labeled liberal or conservative, continue the decline started in the 19th century. They promote the marketing dunces of Church Growth and suppress the use, even the name of the King James Bible. Look at their lists of Bible translations to be used - the NIV for idiots, the ESV for cultured idiots, the RSV for the little Antichrists, and the Beck Bible for beer-soaked conservative wannabees. Those lists often include the bloated paraphrases - the living or the amplified Bibles - but they will not include the dominant and best one, for over 400 years - the KJV.

 Tischendorf's "discovery" of Sinaiticus was stage-managed for the world by unbelievers, from the Pope to the rationalistic Biblical "scholars."

 Westcott and Hort conspired with the KJV revisors to have their Greek New Testament the secret but official text of the 19th century KJV revision, for the British Empire and for America. The translation was so bad that no one would buy it, and the leaders could not find a way to repair the damage. Nevertheless, today's genius scholars and theologians promote the Tischendorf-Westcott-Hort follies and mock the KJV.

Drought - Not Floods - And the Birds Frolic

 Starlings are usually the first birds to jump into the birdbath as a group. Today all the varieties seemed to be taking their turn.

We had an unusual gathering of birds today, because it is getting so dry and hot, aiming toward 95 degrees soon.

Knowing the prediction, I emptied both baths, cleaned them, and filled them with shallow water, sitting on a slight incline. Birds love to land on the dry area and slowly walk into shallow water. The splashing follows.

Ranger Bob advised me not to water when the day was so hot and sunny. I wanted the gardens relatively dry before evening, because slugs come out in the zillions among the plants at night. Watering greatly encourages them, and they love to eat holes in tender vegetation, including new Hostas and Calladiums. 

 Humpback Whale Hostas are striking in color, size, and beauty. My investment in time has paid off for the first plants to grow and dominate.

I told Bob, "You fix the cars while I fix the gardens." He laughed. 

 Calla Lilies keep blooming when watered. "They are in bloom again, rawlwy they are."

Calladiums can be Cardinals

 Or Sweethearts

I have booked the backyard gardens for tomorrow morning, to give the new Joe Pyes a good start and perk up the Hostas, about to bloom for the hummingbirds. 

 Or a White Christmas

The Feast of the Holy Trinity, 2022. Hidden in Plain Sight

The Feast of the Holy Trinity, 2022

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The saved video is linked here.

Bethany Lutheran Church 

The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 

The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics are linked from the Bethany Hymnal site.

The Hymn # 246               Holy, Holy, Holy               

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity: let us give glory to Him because He hath shown His mercy to us.

Psalm. O Lord, our Lord: how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Colllect

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us, Thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity - and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst lump us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Gradual

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who beholdest the deep; 

and who dwellest between the cherubim.

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: 

and greatly to be praised forever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers: 

and greatly to be praised and glorified forever. Hallelujah!

The Gospel               

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Athanasian Creed             p. 53
The Sermon Hymn #250      Holy God We Praise Thy Name
       

Hidden in Plain Sight

 

The Communion Hymn  #297  The Gospel Shows

The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #660               I'm But a Stranger Here  

Enchanted Peace Rose

            Prayers and Announcements

• Lynda Roper is undergoing diagnostic tests; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader; Kermit and Maria Way; Virginia Roberts.
• We have a flock of KJV Bibles, books about the KJV Bible; doctrinal books, and CPH commentaries to give away.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

Luther’s Trinity Sermons Linked Here

Romans 11 33 ω βαθος - O the depth

1. πλουτου 0f the riches
2. και σοφιας  and of the wisdom
3. και γνωσεως θεου and of the knowledge of God.

ως ανεξερευνητα τα κριματα αυτου και ανεξιχνιαστοι αι οδοι αυτου.

34 τις γαρ εγνω νουν κυριου η τις συμβουλος αυτου εγενετο

35 η τις προεδωκεν αυτω και ανταποδοθησεται αυτω

36 οτι 

1. εξ αυτου και - from Him and
2. δι αυτου και - through Him and
3. εις αυτον τα παντα αυτω - in Him are all things.

 η δοξα εις τους αιωνας. αμην.

KJV Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Hidden in Plain Sight

KJV Romans 11:33 O the depth of the (1) riches both of the (2) wisdom and (3) knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 

We can begin with the denial of the Holy Trinity, within the Christian Church, and see how much this has influenced our Western culture.

There is a distinction. The Scriptures are the revelation of God through the Holy Spirit, so the Bible is unique, written down by many but unified by the guidance of the Spirit. God Himself directed this unity - and also the preservation of the Word. This revelation does not change, though many try their best to do that, mostly by removing verses they do not like and by scoffing at what remains.

What we teach and preach about the Scriptures is our witness to the Christian Faith. In many cases we use short-cuts, which condense the meaning of hundreds of passages. The word Trinity is not in the Hebrew or Greek original texts, but the concept of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is found throughout the Bible.

This section from Romans reveals the Trinity, using different terms to show the Unity of the Three Persons and the Threefold nature of the One God. Paul is guided by the Spirit to show a way of expressing the Trinity without suggesting something pagan. 

ELCA and the LCA did that long ago by changing the Trinitarian blessing at baptism - making it Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. Lately the ELCA bishops talked about the Spirit being locked up and "She" would soon be getting out. For pagans, especially pagan false bishops, creating and worshiping false gods is a special cause, the platform for their unbelief system.

But in one verse alone we can see and hear two expressions of the Trinity while also revealing the unity of God.

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

As soon as people begin judging the Scriptures as not equal to their wisdom, they start hardening themselves against the Word. My best professor in the Scriptures said, "Don't buy those commentaries. They are packed with opinions, not with studying the text itself."

When people do well, they say, "I worked hard and I was smart."

When calamity falls upon them, they say, "God is punishing me, but why?" Having a shallow opinion about God, they are quick to desert Him. Many cult leaders and outright Satanists are glad to help out. I do not doubt that Satan has great power and uses it, but the Holy Spirit's power is 1000 times greater.

We can collect wisdom from every part of the Bible, and we can concentrate on a few of the greatest parts. 

35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For (1) of him, and (2) through him, and (3) to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

People can argue the grammar (as Lenski does) and yet we can hardly exterminate the Trinity from our language. Just count how many times people use groups of threes to describe something! Why is that so pervasive? And why do we stick with a seven-day week when freedom allows us to use a format different from the Six Days of Creation plus a day of rest and worship?

The Holy Trinity is explicit (plain as the nose on your face) in hundreds of places and implicit (subtle, like a hint) in hundreds more. Just as Jesus promised, the Spirit has preserved the Word of God and guided Christians.

We should not ever downplay the grace of God the Father, the love of God the Son, or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God is with us through the Word and keeps His promises.

This is clearly defined in the Old Testament - including especially the Trinity from Day One - Genesis 1. God did not need to give us the New Testament, but like all the Promises, one proof after another is revealed to us. If we only study the Word of God and honor His Day, all this will come together for our benefit, blessings, forgiveness, and fruits of the Spirit.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

GA Hazing in WELS and ELS - Look at the Results at a University in Missouri

After frat hazing left son brain damaged, Eden Prairie family fights for accountability

Minnesota Star Tribune.

"This is the most horrific hazing case of all time," said David Bianchi, the family's Miami-based attorney who has specialized in hazing cases nationwide for 30 years.

The latest suit alleges that last fall, Santulli was forced to drink an entire bottle of vodka, then beer through a tube and funnel during his initiation to Phi Gamma Delta, known as Fiji. His blood alcohol content soared to a near-fatal level of 0.468%.

There is a mountain of evidence in seized cellphones and surveillance cameras throughout the frat house, Bianchi said, that shows Santulli was left unattended and unconscious on a couch where he stopped breathing.

"You can't imagine how it could be even worse and still be alive," Bianchi said, adding that his firm has counted at least 50 hazing deaths since 2000 at U.S. colleges and universities. His cases almost always involve a fraternity and dangerous amounts of alcohol.

The Santulli case comes amid a national debate about the hazards of fraternity hazing. Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chutich's daughter Olivia died in January 2021 of excessive drinking and hypothermia at Iowa State University's Delta Delta Delta sorority house.

*** 

GJ - I could name names in WELS-ELS. It is a matter of time before death occurs there - "just developing closeness among the brothers."

Still No God or Man at Yale - A Very Long Essay on the Left-wing Radicalism of Yale University

 Sterling Library is where we met Roland Bainton for a photo-op. "Still No God or Man at Yale" - an essay about Yale's extreme Leftism is linked here.

 Harkness Bell Tower dominates the skyline.

 Harkness bell tower.

 Yale Divinity School boasted these Lutheran professors - Paul L. Holmer, Nils A. Dahl, Sydney Ahlstrom, George Lindbeck, and (honorary Lutheran) Roland Bainton. One YDS dean swore he would never hire a Lutheran - "too conservative."