Reformation Seminary Lecture on Revelation 8 -10 AM

 

When a sudden and violent storm blew at the large ELCA church, during "The Vote," the steeple reminded many of Revelation in threats and fears.

8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

New Garden Emerges from the Rains

 

The heat and lack of rain combined to make the garden areas barely alive. Even when actual rain began to fall, normal growth failed to emerge. The new roses began tentatively, timidly, torturously. Finally, I had roses for Doggy Day Care and my Asian friend across the street. 

My mushrooms began to sprout and provide some approval. She said - "I am coming over tomorrow!" Oddly enough, I had bags of grocery store mushrooms in the deep freezer, as if they should keep providing until New Year's Day. That is one of those casual mistakes of routinely buying more mushrooms, which have the double role of opposing cancer and improving stew. Onion! My farm-bred parents said, "You don't know what's good for ya. You don't know how good you have it. You know what's wrong?!" Inevitably - "You are spoiled! Spoiled ROTTEN!" 

I expect even more storms today, and the backyard continues to absorb more rain. The reluctant roses now have beautiful booms in various places. The much-maligned Joe Pye Weed has been trained down to the soil level for the rest of the season. They have been defeated by cannas, which provided free stops for hummingbirds. 

Roses showing up now are Veterans Honor, Fragrant Cloud, Queen of Sween, Elizabeth, and some heavily scented English roses. Ketchup and Mustard - as a rose - was only good for one blooming for the season.