https://youtube.com/@gregoryjacksonphd?si=1qn5syFEQkPVqKHM
ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
PJ Media Exposes Bishop Budde and Many Other Left-Wing NGOs.
ELCA, LCMS, and WELS Are Deep into NGOs Too!
When Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde lectured President Trump and Vice President Vance about immigration during her sermon at the National Prayer Service on the day after they were inaugurated, leftists hailed Budde for standing on principle and giving the Bad Orange Man a good scolding. As it turns out, however, Budde may have motivations that were a bit more tangible than principle: her Church’s Episcopal Migration Ministry (EMM) rakes in millions from a number of taxpayer-funded entities for bringing the migrants. And the Episcopal Church is by no means alone in this: other Churches that have recently taken principled stance against Trump’s immigration policies are in on the gravy train as well.
The Churches That Oppose Trump on Immigration are Raking in Millions to Bring In Migrants
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The New York Post reported Friday that Budde’s “sermon to President Trump during an inaugural prayer service, coupled with her church’s advocacy for humanitarian immigration programs, reveals a striking hypocrisy — one that could be seen as self-serving and even a conflict of interest.” This is because in 2023, EMM “earned $53 million from various taxpayer-funded government programs to resettle 3,600 individuals.” If Trump stops the migrant influx and ends the funding for such programs, the Episcopal Church could suddenly be facing a significant shortfall of cash.
And so Budde appealed to Trump to have mercy upon those who “fear for their lives” – what? From whom? In a magnificent display of elitism, she exhorted him to be kind to “the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals.” She said nothing, of course, about the small matter of that $53 million.
Nor did she mention another salient fact. According to the Post, EMM “‘sponsored’ 6,400 individuals from 48 countries in 2024. The leading nationalities were Afghans under a special humanitarian program.”
Wait a minute. Afghans? Certainly there are many people who fled Afghanistan because the Taliban would kill them if they got the chance, but did EMM take any time to consider the fact that besides the Taliban, Afghanistan is a key center of operations for al-Qaeda and ISIS? There are certainly Afghans who aren’t members of any jihad terror group, but they didn’t exist in sufficient numbers to prevent the Taliban from returning to power, or to keep al-Qaeda and ISIS from acting in that country with complete impunity. So what measures did EMM take to vet these Afghans and make sure they weren’t bringing in any jihadis? Likely they did nothing about this, for to have made any such effort would have been “Islamophobic.”
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The Episcopal Church isn’t alone in this hypocrisy. The Post notes that “the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) dwarfs EMM. Forbes reported that USCCB affiliate Catholic Charities USA, which has its hand in all aspects of immigration and seems to get money from every government agency except NASA, received $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars in 2021. That’s 68 times more than EMM got that year.”
Back in April 2021, Business Insider reported that “the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services is one of nine nonprofit organizations that partner with the US government to meet the needs of refugees who arrive in the country. Those seeking protection from war and repression deserve compassion and assistance, it teaches, citing the ‘mercy of Christ, who himself was a [sic] immigrant and child of refugees.’”
That compassion comes at a price. OSV News reported Friday that “audited financial statements by an outside firm show that the USCCB received about $122.6 million in 2022 and about $129.6 million in 2023 in funding from government agencies for refugee-related services. But the same statements show that the USCCB spent more on those services than the government gave them, meaning the conference did not profit from the grants, according to the conference’s auditors. In 2023, for example, the conference spent $134.2 million for such services.”
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Related: This Is War, After All: Trump Prepares to Send 30,000 Criminal Illegals to Gitmo
And so when the USCCB condemned Trump’s executive orders on immigration, did it have a pecuniary interest in doing so? Vice President Vance, who is a Roman Catholic, thinks so, saying: “I think that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line? We’re going to enforce immigration law. We’re going to protect the American people.”
Bravo. For too long, bringing massive numbers of immigrants into the country has been a cash cow for organizations that were supposedly motivated solely by humanitarian concerns. No one, however, was concerned for the wellbeing of the American people. Until now.
The leftist elites in all spheres don't care in the slightest about your wellbeing. But at PJ Media, we do, and that's how we report the news. As the elites' stranglehold on the culture and the nation is weakening, now is the perfect time to become a PJ Media VIP member. Use the code SAVEAMERICA for 50% off your membership.
Hey Lutherans and Papists! Listen Up! Your Leaders Spend Billions on Illegals Through Thrivent, Rome And Parallel Gubmint Charities-NGOs!
Lutherans and Roman Catholics have enjoyed a tidal wave of tax-payer money gushing through their spread-sheets - thanks to the generosity of Joe Biden and his co-horts.
Lutherans, Romans, and others ask for gubmint support for endless charitable entities so they can carry out their work. I used to follow the Marvin Schwan and Thrivent gift money until the non-profits demanded $1,000 a year to expose how the money and the super-salaries were garnished.
Those who brown-nose with skill can enjoy the perks of shuffling the money and bonuses around. Those who ask penetrating questions find themselves prepping the Hurrycanes at the nursing home.
If Congress passes a law giving billions of dollars for traveling north, accepting cash, and obtaining healthcare, that can be scrutinized, line by line.
If Congress donates money to religious organizations in gigantic lump sums, the recipients are filtered through those generous saints who sanctify their lives with holy gifts and saintly results in appealing charities - NGOs. Non-Gubmint-Organizations.
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| Thrivent! |
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Epiphany 4 Epistle - "Second, the commandment names the most noble virtue — love. It does not say, “Thou shalt feed thy neighbor, give him drink, clothe him,” all of which things are inestimably good works; it says, “Thou shalt love him.” Love is the chief virtue, the fountain of all virtues. Love gives food and drink; it clothes, comforts, persuades, relieves and rescues. What shall we say of it, for behold he who loves gives himself, body and soul, property and honor, all his powers inner and external, for his needy neighbor’s benefit, whether it be friend or enemy; he withholds nothing wherewith he may serve another."
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany. Christian Love and the Command to Love. Romans 13:8-10
ALL COMMANDMENTS SUMMED UP IN LOVE.
“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
29. Love being the chief element of all law, it comprehends, as has been made sufficiently clear, all commandments. Its one concern is to be useful to man and not harmful; therefore, it readily discovers the way.
Recognizing the fact that man, from his ardent self-love, seeks to promote his own interests and avoid injuring them, love endeavors to adopt the same course toward others. We will consider the commandment just cited, noticing how ingeniously and wisely it is arranged. It brings out four thoughts. First, it states who is under obligation to love: thou — the nearest, noblest, best individual we can command. No one can fulfill the Law of God for another; each must do it for himself. As Paul says (Galatians 6:5), “Each man shall bear his own burden.” And (Corinthians 5:10): “For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” So it is said, “Thou, thou thyself, must love;” not, “Let someone else love for you.”
Though one can and should pray that God may be gracious to another and help him, yet no one will be saved unless he himself fulfils God’s command.
It is not enough merely to pray that another may escape punishment, as the venders of indulgences teach; much rather, we should pray that he become righteous and observe God’s precepts.
30. Second, the commandment names the most noble virtue — love. It does not say, “Thou shalt feed thy neighbor, give him drink, clothe him,” all of which things are inestimably good works; it says, “Thou shalt love him.” Love is the chief virtue, the fountain of all virtues. Love gives food and drink; it clothes, comforts, persuades, relieves and rescues. What shall we say of it, for behold he who loves gives himself, body and soul, property and honor, all his powers inner and external, for his needy neighbor’s benefit, whether it be friend or enemy; he withholds nothing wherewith he may serve another. There is no virtue like love; there can be no special work assigned it as in the case of limited virtues, such as chastity, mercy, patience, meekness, and the like. Love does all things. It will suffer in life and in death, in every condition, and that even for its enemies. Well may Paul here say that all other commandments are briefly comprehended in the injunction, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
31. Third, the commandment names, as the sphere of our love, the noblest field, the dearest friend — our neighbor. It does not say, “Thou shalt love the rich, the mighty, the learned, the saint.” No, the unrestrained love designated in this most perfect commandment does not apportion itself among the few. With it is no respect of persons. It is the nature of false, carnal, worldly love to respect the individual, and to love only so long as it hopes to derive profit. When such hope ceases, that love also ceases. The commandment of our text, however, requires of us free, spontaneous love to all men, whoever they may be, and whether friend or foe, a love that seeks not profit, and administers only what is beneficial. Such love is most active and powerful in serving the poor, the needy, the sick, the wicked, the simple-minded and the hostile; among these it is always and under all circumstances necessary to suffer and endure, to serve and do good.
32. Note here, this commandment makes us all equal before God, without regard to distinctions incident to our stations in life, to our persons, offices and occupations. Since the commandment is to all — to every human being — a sovereign, if he be a human being, must confess the poorest beggar, the most wretched leper, his neighbor and his equal in the sight of God. He is under obligation, according to this commandment, not to extend a measure of help, but to serve that neighbor with all he has and all he controls. If he loves him as God here commands him to do, he must give the beggar preference over his crown and all his realm; and if the beggar’s necessity requires, must give his life. He is under obligation to love his neighbor, and must admit that such a one is his neighbor.
33. Is not this a superior, a noble, commandment, which completely levels the most unequal individuals? Is it not wonderfully comforting to the beggar to have servants and lovers of such honor? wonderful that his poverty commands the services of a king in his opulence? that to his sores and wounds are subject the crown of wealth and the sweet savor of royal splendor? But how strange it would seem to us to behold kings and queens, princes and princesses, serving beggars and lepers, as we read St.
Elizabeth did! Even this, however, would be a slight thing in comparison with what Christ has done. No one can ever equal him in the obedience wherewith he has exalted this commandment. He is a king whose honor transcends that of all other kings; indeed, he is the Son of God. And yet he puts himself on a level with the worst sinners, and serves them even to dying for them. Were ten kings of earth to serve to the utmost one beggar, it would be a remarkable thing; but of what significance would it be in comparison with the service Christ has rendered? The kings would be put to utter shame and would have to acknowledge their service unworthy of notice.
Friday, January 31, 2025
Improving and Expanding the Lutheran Library
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Thursday, January 30, 2025
Helped Patton's Troops - Got a Loan To Come to America
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| Veteran's Honor Rose reminds our military of their sworn duty. |
My wife and her sister were born in poverty and lived for a time in a refugee camp. Her parents borrowed the funds to come across to America. They paid the entire amount back and helped more of the family settle in the States. One uncle joined the US Army.
They all studied to become American citizens, the pride of their lives.
The sisters were coaxed to attend a local state university, and some urged Valparaiso. Christina insisted on Augustana College in Rock Island, within walking distance of my house. We met on the first day in English class and I was asked by my brother about that meeting. I said, "I met a red-head and I'll ask her out and maybe marry her." Decades later, when Christina talked about this, a Moline friend at the same dorm said Chris kept calling my name that week.
Look at Your Tax Dollars - Going to Lutheran Refugee and Immigration Services
Now - GLOBAL REFUGE and THRIVENT!
Former - Lutheran Refugee And Immigration Services
Why an 85-Year-Old Charity Needed a New Name
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service rebranded as Global Refuge to put the spotlight on its mission — and boost fundraising.
Global Refuge
In 2023,
This grant supports the Camino a Casa program in Guatemala, which promotes economic empowerment, social mobility, and diverse, inclusive communities through a three-prong system: pathway building, career navigation, and harnessing the power of champions and coalitions.
Support from the Thrivent Charitable Community Fund and generous gifts our donors help make this possible. For collaborative funds, Thrivent Charitable conducts an invitation-based grantmaking process. For more information visit our
Do Not Read Luther For Cute Sayings!
The Reformation reminds us of Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz - so why am I even mentioning them? After all, if knowledge of Luther is withered away now, how much worse is content about the other two teachers?
How many preachers of any church body struggle to find some witty snippet at the end of November? The clergy are more likely to make fun of those three professors above, who risked their lives, changed Europe, and spread the Gospel to the world.
The percentage of Luther students is so small that anyone can attack the basics of the Gospel of Faith. The Lutheran (sic) synod leaders began waddling after Rome many decades ago, because Rome is cool.
One LCA pastor from many decades ago said this about his fellow seminary students at Philadelphia Seminary (now United), "Him? He was the only high church guy who wasn't gay!" Indeed - the most inclined students at Waterloo bragged about their group of seminarians putting on the display robes and prancing around the Fortress Press Store. Almy is the target now - and OH! what prices!
So we have a collision now. Anyone can have a truckload of printed worthwhile Luther books, and even more books through the marvels of digital reproductions like PDF - and through the spoken Word. The collision is the lack of use, whether heard, read, or inwardly digested.
Here is a concise collection of Lenker's Luther Sermons.
I am sprinkling some Luther quotations on this page, because I am too weak to resist the combination of Gospel and graphics.
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| This was Photoshopped from the Planet of the Apes movie, where the hero realizes Planet Earth is so destroyed that the Statue of Liberty is half-buried. Thus the Lutheran Church with its papal lusts, Calvinist errors, and Waltherian dogma. |
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| Year around, no? |
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Epiphany 4 Epistle - "Solomon’s words (Ecclesiastes 7:17), “Noli nimium esse justus,” “Be not righteous overmuch.” Here is where we leave unperceived the beam in our own eye and proceed to remove the mote from our neighbor’s eye. Laws without love make the conscience timid and fill it with unreasonable terror and despair, to the great injury of body and soul."
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany. Christian Love and the Command to Love. Romans 13:8-10
LOVE FULFILS THE LAW.
“For he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.”
7. Having frequently spoken of the character and fruits of love, it is unnecessary to introduce the subject here. The topic is sufficiently treated in the epistle lesson for the Sunday preceding Lent. We will look at the command to love, in the Law of God. Innumerable, endless, are the books and doctrines produced for the direction of man’s conduct. And there is still no limit to the making of books and laws. Note the ecclesiastical and civil regulations, the spiritual orders and stations. These laws and doctrines might be tolerated, might be received with more favor, if they were founded upon and administered according to the one great law — the one rule or measure — of love; as the Scriptures do, which present many different laws, but all born of love, and comprehended in and subject to it.
And these laws must yield, must become invalid, when they conflict with love.
Of Love’s higher authority we find many illustrations in the Scriptures.
Christ makes particular mention of the matter in Matthew 12:3-4, where David and his companions ate the holy showbread. Though a certain law prohibited all but the priests from partaking of this holy food, Love was empress here, and free. Love was over the Law, subjecting it to herself. The Law had to yield for the time being, had to become invalid, when David suffered hunger. The Law had to submit to the sentence: “David hungers and must be relieved, for Love commands, Do good to your needy neighbor. Yield, therefore, thou Law. Prevent not the accomplishment of this good. Rather accomplish it thyself. Serve him in his need. Interpose not thy prohibitions.” In connection with this same incident, Christ teaches that we are to do good to our neighbor on the Sabbath; to minister as necessity demands, whatever the Sabbath restrictions of the Law. For when a brother’s need calls, Love is authority and the Law of the Sabbath is void.
8. Were laws conceived and administered in love, the number of laws would matter little. Though one might not hear or learn all of them, he would learn from the one or two he had knowledge of, the principle of love taught in all. And though he were to know all laws, he might not discover the principle of love any more readily than he would in one. Paul teaches this method of understanding and mastering law when he says: “Owe no man anything, but to love one another”; “He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”; “If there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”; “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor”; “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” Every word in this epistle lesson proves Love mistress of all law.
9. Further, no greater calamity, wrong and wretchedness is possible on earth than the teaching and enforcing of laws without love. In such case, laws are but a ruinous curse, making true the proverbs, “summum jus, summa injustitia,” “The most strenuous right is the most strenuous wrong”; and again, Solomon’s words (Ecclesiastes 7:17), “Noli nimium esse justus,” “Be not righteous overmuch.” Here is where we leave unperceived the beam in our own eye and proceed to remove the mote from our neighbor’s eye. Laws without love make the conscience timid and fill it with unreasonable terror and despair, to the great injury of body and soul.
Thus, much trouble and labor are incurred all to no purpose.
ELCA's Death Spiral - Signaled by Liz Eaton's Election in 2013 -
Reconciling Works via Clint Schneckloth's substack.
"Beloved Children of God,
For over 50 years ReconcilingWorks has advocated for the acceptance, full participation, and liberation of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the Lutheran Church. This is holy work for holy people.
In one week, the world has experienced the Trump Administration - through Executive Orders - try to remove, deny, and endanger the lives of our Transgender, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, Intersex, and Gender Nonconforming siblings. Just by saying there are only two genders does not make it true. We have a God who exists beyond a binary.
Trump's recent actions against the LGBTQIA+ community could not be further from the Gospel message of love, welcome, inclusion, and liberation.
1. Declaring there are only two genders, male and female.
2. Banning Transgender people from military service.
3. Ending gender affirming care for anyone under the age of 19.
ReconcilingWorks will continue to work with our 1,150+ Reconciling in Christ congregations and ministries to be a public witness in word and action, working against the dangers of White Christian Nationalism, discrimination, and erasures of people groups. We call upon all of our Reconciling in Christ partners - congregations, synods, and other ministries - to amplify your own voices in support of your LGBTQIA+ siblings. Now is the time to speak up and speak out, joining our voices and actions with those of Christians and members of other faith communities who also support God's beloved LGBTQIA+ children."
May the God of love and liberation hear our lament. May each of us be bold in our witness. May we all work to bring an end to this attack against people God has named beloved.
Signed,
ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation
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| ELCiC Bishop Susan Johnson |
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