ELCA Former Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson Speaks Out

 

"Brett, you know very well that a stole over a business suit is the perfection of unity which I always try to maintain. More of a hybrid, one might say. That is how we blended other issues, to amalgamate rather than having harsh issues of doctrine. You might say Ohio Bishop Eaton set up the volley and smacked it over the net herself. She took over after me, after I steam-rolled the Big Issue of 2009. Oh, the joy!"

Presiding Bishop Liz Eaton was at the 2024 Youth Convention.
One can only guess what that produced.

Gloom and Doom from Richard Neuhaus' Nephew - Ovaltines Update.They Brought It All Down, Collecting the Demolition Fees.

Richard Neuhaus graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, backed Seminex, joined the LCA, and became a Roman Catholic priest. That is also the mix at the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Discussion Group.

Pastor Peter Speckhard (above)

ALPB Contribution Leader, Neuhaus Nephew

"I agree with the "change and decay" sentiment as sentiment of my generation, but I am heartened by the rising generation that never knew an institutionally strong and growing LCMS with mainstream aspirations and take the challenges of the world for granted as part of the bargain.  A lot of younger pastors have no illusions about salaries and fully expect to be bivocational. They see it as, in some ways at least, a feature of rather than bug in our current context. And they have no worries about not being mainstream. The question is whether they can convince any parishioners to join them in sufficient numbers to actually have congregations. But heartened as I am by their zeal, I can't join them except as a cheerleader. I was formed by a different world. I liked having a lot of Concordias. I like Valpo as an LCMS-centric Lutheran university. I appreciate a highly educated, professional clergy. I feel as though I have to focus on the next sermon and trust that the kingdom is advancing not because I am particularly faithful but because I am not really equipped to do anything else."

***

GJ - Christina and I met Neuhaus father when we were in Ontario and visiting that LCMS congregation. I corresponded with Richard Neuhaus and he quoted me in the ALPB Forum Letter, and we met him at the Ad Fontes (Come to Rome!) conference. There he spoke with the LCA President James Crumley, and we ate lunch with Crumley, a kindly person who wanted to know about my move to WELS.

LCA President Crumley attended the synod's conference for communication in Seattle. I paid for Christina's ticket. He would have been a good ELCA leader, but the radicals were already in charge before the gavel came down. WELS and the LCMS thought hordes of ELCA into their corrupted bosoms, but hey! - The Faithless Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) worshiped and learned together - WELS' Ron Roth and others were at Fuller Seminary from 1977 onward. ELCA did not officially start until New Year's 1983.

How about Snowbird ELCA-WELS-LCMS, 1991? -
"At the Snowbird Ecumenical Conference, the best ever,

according to Rev. James Schaefer, our council of presidents

and other leaders, 25 in all, were taught how to manage the

church by a woman.  They were taught what St. Paul says about

ministry by a Trinity Seminary professor, an advocate of the

historical-critical method.  They were told by a liberal

Reformed theologian that the radical left mainline

denominations were not becoming "sideline" denominations.

George Barna, Who's Who in Church Growth, also taught our

leaders at Snowbird, but they seem to know Barna's work quite

well already.  When Columbus WELS pastors invited ELCA to

discuss inerrancy, no one from Trinity Seminary showed up.

They understand fellowship.  But our synodical president

posed for photos with Rev. Herb Chilstrom, former Pietist,

who advanced himself by promoting the cause of homosexuality

and pornography-as-sex-offender therapy as bishop of the

LCA's Minnesota Synod.

 

As chairman of the board of Seminex, Jungkuntz approved this school for training future Metropolitan Community Church (gay) pastors. Many Seminex leaders were graduates of Northwestern College (WELS), where he taught earlier. 

Daily Lutheran Sermon Quote - "For there is no greater distress and calamity than when God sends us sects and false spirits, because they are so impudent and daringly bold, that they are really to be pitied. On the other hand the Word of God is such a great treasure, that no one can sufficiently comprehend its worth."

 

Complete Sermon - Tenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 19:41-48. Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem

APPLICATION TO GERMANY.

11. Here let us learn a lesson, for this concerns us, not us alone who are here present, but the whole country of Germany. It is not a mere jest, nor should we think that it will go different with us. The Jews would not believe until they experienced it and became conscious of it. God has now also visited us, and has opened the precious treasures of his holy Gospel unto us, by which we can learn God’s will, and see how we were held by the power of the devil. Yet no one will earnestly believe it, yea, we much more despise it and make light of it. No city, no officer of the government is thankful for the Gospel; and what is still worse the great majority persecute and blaspheme it. God has great patience; he waits to see how we will deal with his Gospel; but when we once let the opportunity slip, he will take his Word from us, and then the wrath which consumed the Jews will also consume us. For it is one and the selfsame Word, the very same God, and the identical Christ, the Jews themselves had; therefore the punishment in body and soul will also most certainly be the same. [We, of course, regard it as mockery, and care nothing for it. This is only an evidence of our own blindness. We ought to perceive that God is hardening us; for there is not a single city that is concerned about it; no officer of the law shows any zeal in its favor. It is most deplorable.] And I fear the time will yet come when Germany will lay in a heap of ruins. The evil winds have already begun to blow destruction in our peasant war. We have already lost many people. Nearly one hundred thousand men, only between Easter and Pentecost! It is an awful work of God, and I fear it will not stop at this. It is only a foretaste of a threat to frighten us, that we may prepare ourselves for the coming ordeal. So far it is but a fox’s tail, but God will soon come with a terrible scourge, and lash us to pieces.

12. But we will act just like the Jews, and care nothing for it, until all help and counsel are lost forever. Now we might check it, for now it is high time for us to know what is best for us, and accept the Gospel in peace, while grace is brought, and peace is offered unto us. But we permit one day after another, one year after another to pass, and do even less than formerly. No one prays now, no one is in earnest. When the time is past, prayers will be of no avail. We do not lay it to heart, and think we are safe, and do not see the awful calamity which has already begun, and are not aware that God so dreadfully punishes us with false prophets and sects, which he sends us everywhere, and who preach so securely as though they had swallowed the Holy Spirit whole. Those whom we had thought were the very best among us, go to work and lead the people astray, until they scarcely know what to do or leave undone.

13. But this is only a beginning, although it is frightful and terrible enough.

For there is no greater distress and calamity than when God sends us sects and false spirits, because they are so impudent and daringly bold, that they are really to be pitied. On the other hand the Word of God is such a great treasure, that no one can sufficiently comprehend its worth. For God himself considers his treasure immensely great, and when he visits us with his grace, he earnestly desires that we should gladly and freely accept it, and does not compel us as he is able to do, but it is his will that we should gladly obey it from choice and love. For he does not wait until we come to him, but he comes first to us. He comes into the world, becomes man, serves us, dies for us, rises again from the dead, sends us his Holy Spirit, gives us his Word, and opens heaven so wide that all men can enter; besides he gives us rich promises and assurances that he will care for us in time and in eternity, here and there, and pours out into our bosoms all the fullness of his grace. Therefore the acceptable time of grace is now at hand.

Yet, we neglect it, and cast it to the winds, so that he will not and cannot give it to us.

14. For when we fall and sin in other ways, he can better spare us and be lenient, he of course will spare us and forgive; but when we despise his Word, it calls for punishment, and he will also punish us, even if he delays a hundred years. But he will not wait that long. And the clearer the Word is preached the greater the punishment will be. I fear it will be the destruction of all Germany. Would to God I were a false prophet in this matter. Yet it will most certainly take place. God cannot permit this shameful disregard of his Word to go unpunished, nor will he wait long, for the Gospel is so abundantly proclaimed that it has never been as plainly and clearly taught since the days of the Apostles, as it is at present. God be praised! Hence it applies to Germany, as I fear it will be destroyed, unless we act differently.

Tom Fisher - On the Errors of Objective Justification

 

Dear Pastor Jackson,

God's Word makes a clear distinction between those who are under the law and those who are under grace.  By nature the whole world is under the law.  Those who are under the law are NOT forgiven or justified. They are in the flesh and at enmity with God. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:19-20

The whole world of unbelievers is under the law. They are not forgiven, and justified prior to and without faith in Christ. They are in the flesh. God is not pleased with them. They cannot please God.

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:5-9

Note the whole world of unbelievers are under the law and under God's wrath and displeasure. They are not forgiven and justified prior to and without faith in Christ.

In contrast C F W Walther taught that the whole world of unbelievers were already forgiven and justified prior to and without faith in Christ. This places the whole world of unbelievers under grace prior to and without faith in Christ and without Baptism into Christ.

C.F.W. Walther said, "For God has already forgiven you your sins 1800 years ago when He in Christ absolved all men by raising Him after He first had gone into bitter death for them " (The Path To Understanding Justification, Gregory L. Jackson, PhD; pg. 12; ISBN 9781072530428)

C.F.W. Walther insists God has already forgiven the whole world of unbelievers prior to and without faith in Christ. This cannot be true for it is impossible to please God without faith in Christ.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him;" Hebrews 11:

Another heretic named Dr. Franz Pieper really went off the deep end when he said:

 "...it was God who laid His anger by on account of the ransom brought by Christ.  It was God who at that time already had in His heart forgiven the sins of the whole world,..." (Note this is Prior to and without Faith and Baptism) (Christian Dogmatics, CPH, Vol. 2, pg. 348).

 Wow!! Dr. Franz Pieper is able to see into God's heart without the Word of God? No one can see into God's heart!

"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

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."            Romans 11:32-36

Note: That heretic Franz Pieper insists God's heart changed  into universal forgiveness and universal justification of the whole world of unbelievers prior to and without faith.

This cannot be true because God never changes.

 "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6

Hardened Objective / Subjective Justification enthusiasts have found a way to escape the law and God's anger and wrath prior to and without true Faith and Baptism by insisting God the Father's wrath and judgement against ungodly unbelievers has already suddenly changed to universal forgiveness (prior to and without Faith and Baptism) and to universal love and universal justification ( prior to and without Faith and Baptism). They have created the ultimate playground for the children of the devil who fearlessly serve sin with wild abandon. We see this played out shamelessly by WELS and LCMS "pastors", "theologians", and "teachers", and "laymen" who fearlessly commit adultery, murder, deception, profanity, theft, and brutal persecution of true Christians. They blindly follow "Pope Walther" who never repented of his heinous sins of theft, covetousness, deception, treachery, and false doctrine. Christ our Lord said, 

" Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." Matthew 12:33

C.F.W. Walther was always an evil tree bearing the evil fruit of lying and deceiving by God's name and Word. His false doctrine provides escape from the law and God the Father's wrath and anger against unbelievers  prior to and without Faith and Baptism; allowing them to continue shamelessly wallowing in heinous sins, unbelief, and a murderous hatred of true Christians who cling to true justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. God our Heavenly Father has not changed. He is still angry with wicked Objective /Subjective Justification unbelievers who attempt to please God without true Faith and Baptism. 

God is not angry with us because God has clothed us in the righteousness of Christ in our Baptism and has given us true Faith in Jesus Christ. We are not under the law, but under grace. 

In contrast OJ/SJ unbelievers are under God's law, wrath, and condemnation because they have a false faith that believe a lie: 

"That God has already declared the whole world  righteous in Christ" (Heretic, Dr. Franz Pieper; The Brief Statement, CPH, 1932)(Note this is prior to and without Faith and Baptism)

God has not changed. He is still angry with the wicked OJ/SJ unbelievers who trust their own works and merits. 

"Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again." Romans 11:18-23

Note: God makes a clear distinction between believers and unbelievers; the righteous and the wicked; the children of God and the children of the devil; the just and the unjust; the Holy and the unholy; the godly and the ungodly; the good tree and the evil tree; those under grace and those under the law; those in Christ and those in sin; those who are in Christ and those who are in the flesh; those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost and those who do not have the Holy Ghost; those in the Kingdom of God and those in the kingdom of Satan. Dr. Martin Luther agrees when he said:

"I call him ungodly who is without the Spirit of God. For the Scripture saith, that the Spirit was therefore given, that He might justify the ungodly. And as Christ makes a distinction between the spirit and the flesh, saying, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" and adds, that that which is born of the flesh "cannot see the Kingdom of God"(John 3:3-6) it evidently follows, that whatsoever is flesh is ungodly, under the wrath of God, and a stranger to the kingdom of God. And if it be a stranger to the kingdom of God, it necessarily follows, that it is under the kingdom and spirit of Satan. For there is no medium between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan; they are mutually and eternally opposed to each other." (Dr. Martin Luther, Bondage Of The Will; Associated Publishers and Authors; Grand Rapids Michigan; 1971; pg. 115)

Note: CFW Walther says the exact opposite of what the Scriptures and Luther assert when he said:

For God has already forgiven you your sins 1800 years ago when He in Christ absolved all men by raising Him after He first had gone into bitter death for them " (The Path To Understanding Justification, Gregory L. Jackson, PhD; pg. 12; ISBN 9781072530428)

Note: Dr. Franz Pieper taught against the Scriptures and Luther when he said:

"...it was God who laid His anger by on account of the ransom brought by Christ.  It was God who at that time already had in His heart forgiven the sins of the whole world,..." (Note this is Prior to and without Faith and Baptism) (Christian Dogmatics, CPH, Vol. 2, pg. 348).

Note: Dr. Franz Pieper completely rejects the Scriptures and Luther when he said:

"that God has already declared the whole world  righteous in Christ" (Heretic Dr. Franz Pieper; The Brief Statement, CPH, 1932)(Note this is prior to and without Faith and Baptism)

Note: Dr. Franz Pieper teaches a lie in opposition to the Scriptures and Luther when he said:

"The resurrection of Christ is, as Holy Writ teaches, the actual absolution of the whole world of sinners." (Christian Dogmatics, Vol 2, pg. 348)

Note: This is a complete lie. God never forgives anyone prior to and without faith in Christ. This completely overthrows justification by faith in Jesus Christ and also completely destroys our Baptism into Christ where God clothes us in the righteousness of Christ and gives us the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 

Furthermore, it destroys the distinctions taught in Scripture between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan; between the godly and the ungodly; between the forgiven and unforgiven; between those in Christ and those in the flesh (note: according to Pieper every unbeliever is already righteous in Christ prior to and without faith and baptism); 

Note: These lies taught by CFW Walther and Dr. Franz Pieper turn both of them into heretics and enemies of Christ and the gospel. Any Lutheran pastor, layman, or

theologian who believes and teaches their lies has fallen from grace, denied the faith, and are vicious heretics and enemies of Christ and justification by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Note: Heretic CFW Walther plunged himself deeper into lying and deceiving by God's name and Word when he said:

"Only one thing remains on your part so that you also possess the gift.  This one thing is--faith. And this brings me to the second part of today's Easter message, in which I now would show you that every man who wants to be saved must accept by faith the general absolution, pronounced 1800 years ago, as an absolution spoken individually to him."  (The Path To Understanding Justification, Gregory L. Jackson, PhD. ; pg.12; ISBN 9781072530428)

Note: CFW Walther is a certified liar when he asserted that:

"Only one thing remains on your part so that you also possess the gift."

Nothing remains on our part to personally receive the gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. God has baptized us into Christ and clothed us in the righteousness of Christ and given us the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. He baptized us into Christ in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

CFW Walther clearly added man's work of "accepting" the lie of universal absolution of unbelievers prior to and without Faith and without Baptism when he asserted:

"that every man who wants to be saved must accept by faith the general absolution, pronounced 1800 years ago, as an absolution spoken individually to him."  (The Path To Understanding Justification, Gregory L. Jackson, PhD. ; pg.12; ISBN 9781072530428)

CFW Walther clearly changes faith into man's work of "accepting" and "making a decision" to personally accept universal forgiveness of believers and unbelievers prior to and without faith and baptism. This is man cooperating with God. We call this synergism or adding man's meritorious works in order to earn the gifts of forgiveness of sins and eternal life from God.

CFW Walther knew NOTHING about the righteousness God gives us by faith. He only knew of an acquired righteousness that is earned by man doing his part of "accepting" and "making a decision to personally accept." Luther referred to this sort of righteousness as a "painted on" righteousness or a righteousness that can be touched and verified by our senses. It is similar to the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.  Christ our Lord said:

'Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of  God." Matthew 5:20

The righteousness God gives us by faith is a legal or forensic righteousness. God gives us the righteousness of Christ by faith not by works. I John makes it clear that God gives us the righteousness of Christ by faith, a righteousness that cannot be taken away. Note: Read 1 John 1:9 . This passage helps us understand 1 John 3 

" If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10

Note: When we examine ourselves we find only sin. As Christians we constantly confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us. God promises to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Remember God gives us the righteousness of Christ by faith not by works. This is a legal or forensic righteousness that cannot be taken away from us. It is not a righteousness we see, feel, or touch or verify by our senses: a "painted on" righteousness that Luther warns us about.

Note: 1 John 3:6 is key to understanding this third chapter of 1 John. God has baptized us into Christ and given us the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. We abide in Christ because God has baptized us into Christ and given us the gift of the Holy Ghost to keep us abiding in Christ.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous."          1 John 3:2-12

Note: 1 John 3 makes a clear distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil. Where there is faith sin is abolished by Christ, but where there is no faith sin remains. Luther agrees when he said:

"Therefore wherever there is faith in Christ, there sin has in fact been abolished, put to death, and buried. But where there is no faith in Christ there sin remains. (Dr. Martin Luther, Lectures on Galatians; CPH, 1963, vol. 26; pg. 286)

Pastor Jackson makes a very important point on page 42 of his book The Path To Understanding Justification:

"The righteousness of God comes to us only by the faith of Jesus, as Paul wrote earlier, from faith to faith." (Gregory L. Jackson, PhD; The Path To Understanding Justification; pg . 42;                        ISBN 9781072530428

" Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:19-26

Note: we are given the righteousness of Christ by the faith of Jesus Christ. (See Romans 3:22) Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith:

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

 

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Phillipians 3:7-10

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 3:16-21

Lord God we are few in number. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness we may speak thy Word. 

" God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Psalm 7:11

" The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:15-18

 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" 1 Peter 3:12,14

We are under grace, NOT because God the Father changed, but because God Baptized us into Christ His Son, clothing us in the righteousness of Christ, and giving us the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We stand by Faith.

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:26-27

24 "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand."                  2 Corinthians 1:24

"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Corinthians 1:1-4

3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

Here is a wonderful hymn titled: Kyrie, God Father In Heaven Above; The Lutheran Hymnal; CPH; 1941; Hymn 6. Kyrie Eleison means: Lord have mercy.

"Kyrie, God Father in heaven above, Great art Thou in grace and love, Of all things the Maker and Preserver. Eleison, eleison!

Kyrie, O Christ, our King, Salvation for sinners Thou didst bring. O Lord Jesus, God's own Son, Our mediator at the heavenly throne, Hear our cry and grant our supplication. Eleison, eleison!

Kyrie, O God the Holy Ghost, Guard our faith, the gift we need the most; Do Thou our last hour bless; Let us leave this sinful world with gladness. Eleison, eleison! Amen.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher