Those Hidden Library Books and Booklets

 

I ran into a pamphlet in my little library. One reminder was a set of books by Luther, edited by the prolific Lenker. But who published it? ABC!

Augustana Book Concern (Rock Island) was the place where we bought textbooks and extra books for reading. Those 13 volumes are much clearer than the ones we see here and there, copies of copies, lower quality. These are pristine.

In the wide expanse of that shelf was tucked Getting Published: A Manual for Religious Writers. In 1976 I had about 55 published articles, some for free, many for modest sums and new ideas. My booklet was typed on an electric typewriter! Someone duplicated the booklet, and it survived 51 years.

Are the LCMS, WELS, ELS, CLC confessional?

Moline Medal of Honor - The Late John BakerWe Were in the Same Gym Class!

  John Baker was born in Davenport, Iowa and attended Moline High School from 1963 to 1966. At only 5 1 he was a gymnast before joining the army. His wife thought

 that gave him the strength and stamina to carry his buddies to safety. He became a tunnel rat in Vietnam, a soldier who entered Viet Cong tunnels searching out the enemy and destroying their caches of war material. Baker made the military his career, retiring in 1989. He then began working as a computer analyst at a Veterans Hospital in South Carolina. In addition to serving as the Vice-President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, he serves as a member on the Nation s Monuments and Cemeteries Committee.

In 2008, the I-280 Bridge, connecting Davenport, Iowa with Rock Island, Illinois, was renamed the Sergeant John F. Baker, Jr., Bridge in honor of Baker.

FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Sgt John F Baker, Jr ~ 19 October 2025

John Baker was born in Davenport, Iowa and attended Moline High School from 1963 to 1966. At only 5 1 he was a gymnast before joining the army. His wife thought that gave him the strength and stamina to carry his buddies to safety. He became a tunnel rat in Vietnam, a soldier who entered Viet Cong tunnels searching out the enemy and destroying their caches of war material. Baker made the military his career, retiring in 1989. He then began working as a computer analyst at a Veterans Hospital in South Carolina. In addition to serving as the Vice-President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, he serves as a member on the Nation s Monuments and Cemeteries Committee.

In 2008, the I-280 Bridge, connecting Davenport, Iowa with Rock Island, Illinois, was renamed the Sergeant John F. Baker, Jr., Bridge in honor of Baker.

The Neglected Ending of St. John's Revelation

 

Readers emphasize Chapter 12 of Revelation, as I wrote earlier. That is the central section, about the Mother and the Son, Mary and the Newborn. That scenario marks the center of all history, before the Incarnation - after the birth of Christ. 

So much is involved in Revelation 1-12 that readers can feel the tossing of the sea on a dark, death-threatening night.

Anyone can feel lost in Revelation's narrative, not from so many chapters but from the overwhelming descriptions of all the events, which are grotesque, beautiful, and inspiring.

Ending Chapters of Revelation 19-22

The final section is triumphant in the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.