Portable Efficacy - Blessings of the Holy Spirit

One of the prime benefits of the Holy Spirit is the use of it at any time or place. That by itself is calming and good for understanding matters during the work of the day. That could be resting, considering crucial parts of the Bible, or wondering about doctrine of the Bible.

Thinking is often efficient for learning because the normal distractions are left alone for the blessings of the Holy Spirit instead. Someone can read without paying much attention, but that is not efficient for the reader, the believer, or the one struggling. 

Someone can feel the emphasis when no books are open and it strikes the person - "I would like to spend time on that reading or that significant passage when I get a quiet time and a good source."

People will notice  - or maybe not - that their lives have gone by without depth in Biblical discovering. Clergy are often the worst, even with wall shelves of hundreds of books, all in perfect order and rank. 

The simplest and most profound - even though the wording is plain and clear - is the Gospel of John, 

• ignored by the modernists 
• but loved by the ancients 
• for the fourth Gospel 
• soaring above all the rest.

The Gospel of John should be read thoroughly, honoring the simplicity in the Holy Spirit.

How Powerful - The Efficacy of the Word of God!

 

Babylon is not only a famous city/state but also a symbol of God's wrath in defying His commandments. St. John's Revelation is packed with information and the effects of Babylon's fall.

The writing of the New Testament, much like the Old Testament, conveys the entire Bible in many ways. Copying the text gives and preserves the Holy Spirit at work through the Holy Spirit.

When I pray at night, I always include the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son, because efficacy has been neglected. Luther said - more or less - "This is really good stuff!" when he was tossed into the doctoral role of studying the Scriptures.

Listen up on this - the Spirit is always with the Word (invisible and invisible) and never apart from the Word. That is the simple description of the Means (method) of Faith (trust in God). That means the Word of God in all forms will affect the reader/listener/even the teacher/preacher. 

More listen up - the false or sloppy user can take on the Spirit for harm and corruption - effective but in the wrong way. If anyone doubts that - study the ghastly modern hymns of today, the textbooks of seminaries (any seminary will do for disasters), and see how the horrid hymns drive people away.

A good text - the KJV - and good hymns will always improve the knowledge and spiritual wisdom of the readers. The regular, steadfast reader will find the effectiveness (efficacy) of the Word to be a great and lasting effective on one's soul. 

In contrast, people can reach for spiritual cotton candy, which is only good for a few minutes - sticky, messy, and worthless. 

Christmas Best

 

 Bethany Joan Marie, age 4

Christmas brings out the beauty and tenderness of the holiday and our experiences. Bethany Joan Marie starred as the smiling Christmas girl at the age of four. Erin Joy did not have the same Christmas outfit, but she had all the nurses laughing at every possible joke. Any nurse who sounded angry - and meant it - was awarded with peals of laughter, the more serious, the better.

Erin Joy's best pose later from her refusing to pose, which made her smile and laugh at our exasperation. 

One baby boy at the hospital could only smile when he heard sometime good. His neurological disorder was more like a dream while our girls were quite alert in many ways, but not very much in movement. The mother at the hospital posted this note above her son's crib. John 9:1ff.

John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

As I told many people, the very special adults and children are almost invisible to most of them. However, a few gentle glances change a lot. Many times they are the most sensitive in many ways and lots of fun besides. I can see Bethany and Erin Joy in a panorama of expressions. They taught children and adults in their own ways. Many a nurse found out how much depth is in a special, and many parents in need of encouragement and patience.

Chapter 14 - The Power of the Son of God - the Lamb's Great Song Before the Throne

 

144,000

14 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

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The current news seems to echo and high-light this passage from Revelation 14. Opposing views are quite obvious. Everything seems filled with fear and despair, but a lot of overwhelming results are also obvious. For example, the military is filled with new recruits. Many long-lasting debacles are being addressed, one after another. However, the King of England - the entire monarchy - is crumbling like a biscuit dipped in Earl Grey Tea.

One observer noted that England itself is now at war with the Christian Faith, favoring pagans and forgetting many centuries of saints, martyrs, and royal examples of the Promises. 

Chapter 14 is a superb example of the power behind all of Creation. The 144,000 are especially awe-inspiring because they stand with the Lamb and reveal their unique music in honor of the Son of God. They share the Father's Name on their foreheads.

The Wimpy-Doodles of this Age are eager to have the benefits but not the actual warfare. They will not stand for the clarity of the Scriptures, so they search for the softest and vaguest language, to win the hearts of the timid. 

The three verses show how the 144,000 surround the throne, with thunder and with songs.

The Extended Meyer Family Is in the Enormous Size And Power of This Storm

Wind Gusts Up To 100 MPH Hit Washington State, Idaho And Oregon, Knocking Out Power To Hundreds Of Thousands

Nearly 600,000 homes and businesses were left in the dark early Wednesday after powerful winds added to days of rain in the flood-ravaged Washington state, parts of Oregon and into Idaho. Here's the latest.

The Nature of Jesus Christ

Nature of Christ Norma Boeckler

Norma Boeckler's artwork often features the nature of Christ, capturing the essence of divine presence and love. Her books, such as "The Faith of Jesus," and her prints,offer a visual representation of Christ's teachings and attributes. Boeckler's work is not only a source of inspiration but also a reflection of her deep faith and understanding of the Christian faith. 

Goodreads

+2

I began the blog title "The Nature of Jesus Christ" and immediately found AI - and plenty about Norma's artwork. Here are a few of her artist works! I was stunned by the number and beauty of those covers and books - and I should know.

The Nature of Jesus Christ is a good indicator that America is falling fast into the abyss. People casually and loudly use the divine names, often without thinking (or on purpose), spitting out titles as if they make one noble, classy, witty, or startling, a good laugh-line or emphasis.

The absence alone should be cause to start using the English language again. After all, we have learned the worst for the last 20 years, the volume and toxicity increasing daily.

Start at Genesis 1:1 and then John 1:1

The only way to read or hear the Bible is through the unity of the divine and human natures of Jesus.  He was in the beginning of Genesis 

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

God commanded the Light before there were any stars, moons, or planets. The Word executed the command to bring forth light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

So, from the beginning, light and darkness were united in Son, and the Two Natures of Jesus were united, just as the Son showed His Natures to Moses when He displayed the Burning Bush, representing both Natures.

Gospel of John

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with 

God, and the Word was God. 

2 The same was in the beginning with God. 

3 All things were made by him; and without him was 

not anything made that was made. 

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Humanity - United with Divinity

The Humanity of Jesus is never separated from the Son of God, so we humans can appreciate that Jesus is there for us, asking forgiveness, understanding Him completely and knowing He is for us with blessings and prayers.

Therefore, the Son of God is present to give us forgiveness for our sins and faults. That forgiveness also blesses us by encouraging our nature to be more like Him, more kindly and thoughtful, generous and loving.

As Luther wrote, we cannot improve ourselves by getting even with others - it only makes matters worse. But we can offer kindness and generosity to those who feel slighted -  to remove bad feelings instead of getting even. 

 The Burning Bush - The Two Natures of Christ

We Are the Minority - Back to the Future

 

Circumvallation meant surrounding the walls of Jerusalem to trap the people within and use up the food - horrifying.

Various readings from the Bible show how God developed the minority on this earth. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was followed by the Fall of Jerusalem about 40 years later. 

The destruction began with a small group of Roman soldiers defeating some militaristic Jews, which brought the massive Roman Army to Jerusalem. Instead of attacking the walls, Rome circled the walls, letting no one in or out, leaving only the precious water deep below the city.

Nothing is quite so scary as the thought of lost food. Fear is a powerful tool, multiplying the anguish. The trapped citizens were soon enslaved and sent away because the remnant was more valuable abroad than gathered and sold so closely.

Paul died before the Fall of Jerusalem, and he converted from Judaism to the Christian Faith. Late in life he had his own parsonage for two years (end of Acts) but we do not know what happened afterwards. When we were studying all of Acts we were surprised that Paul's history quietly faded away.

The earliest Christian converts - like Paul - had many options, many copies of the New and Old Testaments. They were kept and preserved with great precision. Faith led to more faithful, and the world gathered new places to teach Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, and eternal life.

Those future Christians grew in numbers with teaching and preaching - and some buildings. The strength was the Gospel, rather than the blueprints of the next impressible feat. Recently, I saw a very large Lutheran building where everything had to be set up for the design of its great structure and plans. 

Studying the Acts of the Apostles - all the way through - is a great lesson in the Gospel of Paul.

Paradise - Audio Gutenberg - Look on the Lefthand Column

 

Paradise

Audio Gutenberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu008y6LfMU

KJV Malachi Chapter 1

 

1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.

2 I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,

3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever.

5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel.

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.

9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts.

10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.

14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

Memories Encroach on the 60th Anniversary of MHS 66.

 

Lagomarcino's was always popular, and so was Melo-Cream.

So many memories!

Busy Readers!

 

I have almost 2,000 page views viewed before lunch, which suggests a steady march to this blog. Some imagine that it must be a way of reading the KJV Scriptures, Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz.

The march has been to perfectionism as I fill out forms for all kinds of important data. Did you know when I had cataracts but not from Niagara Falls? And the exact date and place? Those bit are just the beginning of medical minutiae, and I feel left out for not having the normal quota and drama. The nurse wanted to send an email, but I resisted. Everyone has cataracts and the dates thereof. 

I would say more, but the costs are low and the results are undramatic. I cannot prove that all those views are actual readers, but they are much higher in numbers than Moline Memories and various other blogs.

Martin Chemnitz Friends also takes a peak.

Those who cannot find the famous peacock graphic with David Scaer can still see it.

Revelation 20.

  

20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

[Satan bound for 1,000 years]

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

The Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem

 

KJV Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

Third Sunday Advent Afterwards - 2025

 

December 14, 2025

One of the benefits for an aging pastor is to enjoy the KJV Scriptures and The Lutheran Hymnal.

I have to ask the executives, chairs, and committees of various printing efforts, "How did they manage to lose so many pastors and members?" Everything was done to make things better, they say, but the opposite is true. 

The problems come with selling products rather than teaching the Word of God, which we need more than ever. 

Many experience the most difficult times for a person or  parson. The pastor who confirmed me as a teen was upended decades later by his own congregation. So he took on the job of preaching for the poor in a nearby impoverished area. That was similar to his own missionary father, who taught in India. 

Here is a tiny tidbit of how God works. A tiny synod wanted to push me out so I found a nearby community center where my mother had a great time. The center was inhospitable so we found a place to build a chapel in town, with a few people. That was impossible but it happened and people out West invited several families there.

St. John's Revelation makes it clear - much like Luther - that the future is already there for us. In fact, the bad events, which seem to spoil everything, are often the best outcome (allowing for a certain amount of anguish first).

Third Sunday in Advent, 2025. 10 AM. No Video or Sound. Follow Today's Text.

This is an older version, which Norma Boeckler mentioned. 

Third Sunday in Advent

Comfort, comfort Ye My People                 #61

Introit

Rejoice in the Lord alway, and against I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing: but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

Lord, Thou hast been favorable unto Thy land: Thou has brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Collect

Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayer and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Thy gracious visitation, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end, Amen.

Gradual

Thou that dwelest between the cherubin, shine forth: shine forth: stir up Thy strength and come.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

Stir up Thy strength and come and save us. Hallelujah!

The Advent of Our King                    #68

The advent of or King Our prayers must now employ

And we must hymns of welcome sing In strains of holy joy.

We Are There

The Gospels of Mark and John begin with the public ministry of Jesus. But Matthew and Luke describe the very beginning of the infant's appearance. So there is a gap of sorts. Of course, the brevity is a work of art from the Holy Spirit.

Our traditional TLH hymnal (is there any better?) gives us a broad expression for the worship service, page 15. If we try to balance The Lutheran Hymnal, the emphasis is universal. So the experts of the past give us a great view. But time has to be measured in real time, as predicted by the prophets and the singular prophet, Jesus Himself.

The entire world is filled with the signs of human folly and destruction, as if each grouping had a bizarre goal to wreck themselves and many others. We love Christmas because the main characters - the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds and the angels - are nothing to most others at first. Later the rabbi Jesus is known, admired, but also hated for His divinity.

People must stand back and realize we are living out of Luke 21 (among other passages). If Jesus warned them at that time, how much closer are we to fulfilling all the Promises of the Bible? It reminds me of The Sound of Music, which began as an escape from the Germans and ended developing their skills in America.

Most leaders - if not all of them - are determined to have their way with their countries, parties, warlords, and worse. That is as if God is withdrawn only  to watch at a distance.

No matter how insistent people are, viewing themselves, they will be included in the Savior, Good Shepherd, Son of God. The many expressions of Jesus center on the Messiah Himself. Everything began at the start of the universe, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. To be more precise, Jesus is the Word in John 1:1, expressed 3 times in one verse. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That provides a clear signal that Jesus revealed Himself as God - at the very beginning - and shared His divinity  - as the Word - to everyone willing to listen.

I would like to say to the clergy and clergy - "The issue is not what we do but whom we trust - relying on the Savior, His Promises, His love for us." I have published hundreds of bad examples - printed! published! - these proud charlatans - boasting about how they have created magical outcomes of their business practices (Church Growth), but they are too ashamed to use that term now. Fads run away with people. 

We should be more enchanted with God's own management. I used to sit down in the rose garden to get a closer look on His Creation. Every part of it has value and merit.  When I found something new about the smallest items, it was even more enchanting. For instance, plants swapping materials through their roots, each one having needs and sharing needs for the other. That changed early America, because so many European animals and plants fertilized the soil.

Some people responded to Creation. Others go the hardware stores and sprays. 

Lift Up Your Heads                            #73

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Assisted Living - I am talking to them this weekend.