Many Have Noticed This Among Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)

 

Many have noticed the narrowed eyes, the stink-eye in the Lutheran sect they have joined. First of all, they soon observe that they do not really belong, even when they are told they are not up to the standards of the cult. Size does not matter. "They will never accept you so do not rock the leaking boat."

ELCA is supreme in this regard. They are still pounding the wardrums for DEI after spending decades to push millions out the door - to make the ELCA cult pure. Judging from their warm-up for the Phoenix convention, 2025, they are eager to have a more rigorous cleansing. The Waltherian Four want to be more like them.

Is it possible that the Waltherian Four have driven out their members too, drooling over the size of ELCA (ha!) ? How else can we explain the fruit of Church Growth for decades?

How is it that the Southern Babtists are conservative enough to refuse the New NIV at their bookstores when WELS-LCMS-ELCA love that monstrosity?

ELCA Convention - Getting Ready for Phoenix in July!Skidding from 5.3 Million Members to Half the 1987 Total

 

ELCA Takes Action!

April 10, 2025

CHICAGO — The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, April 3-6. The council serves as the ELCA churchwide organization’s board of directors and interim legislative authority between meetings of a churchwide assembly. The council’s work, grounded in faith in Jesus Christ, focused on actions that will go before the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, July 26-Aug. 2.

In key action, the council received the final report and recommendations of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). In response to its recommendations, the council:

• Authorized its Executive Committee to consult with the Strategy Toward Authentic Diversity advisory team to review its purpose and to create an ELCA handbook that includes recommendations for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) standards for congregations.

• Directed the Office of the Secretary to explore collaborating with ELCA full communion partners, as neutral parties, to develop processes independent of the churchwide organization to resolve conflicts within this church.

• Requested that the Committee on Appeals develop resources to help synods identify candidates for synod consultation committees who demonstrate competency in working with people of varied ethnic backgrounds.

• Voted to establish a task force on interdependence and purpose to assess the ELCA’s statements of purpose, current governance structures and how those structures have or may have perpetuated systemic inequities, and to recommend changes to the current synod structure.

• Authorized the Executive Committee to create a financial coordinating task force to review existing ELCA financial management resources; explore greater collaboration and shared financial processes among the financial functions of the three expressions of the church (congregations, synods and the churchwide organization); and encourage greater collaboration among the separately incorporated financial ministries (the ELCA Foundation, the Mission Investment Fund and Portico Benefit Services).

• Encouraged rostered ministers, congregations and synods to identify and share existing resources on congregational management and governance.

• Affirmed the vocation of ministers of Word and Service and encouraged congregations and synods to educate their members about the role of these ministers and the varied contexts in which they serve.

• Adopted a continuing resolution that establishes the ELCA Association of Synod Vice Presidents.

The council also recommended that the 2025 Churchwide Assembly:

• Adopt the proposed social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All and its proposed implementing resolutions. Creation of the social statement was authorized by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly.

• Adopt proposed editorial changes to the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust in response to the memorial “Reconsideration of Social Statement on Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which was approved by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.

• Approve the following triennial budget proposals: (1) a current fund-spending authorization of $61,500,000 for 2026; (2) a current fund-income proposal of $56,915,000 for 2027 and $56,320,000 for 2028; (3) an ELCA World Hunger spending authorization of $21,550,000 for 2026; and (4) an ELCA World Hunger income proposal of $21,300,000 for 2027 and $21,050,000 for 2028.

• Authorize the Church Council to revise the spending authorizations after periodic review of revised income estimates.

• Adopt additional bylaw amendments to “Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA” to allow for exchange of deacons with certain full communion partners and to establish additional standards for rostered ministers.

• Receive the 2024 Lutheran-Orthodox “Common Statement on the Filioque.” “The Filioque” refers to the words “and the Son,” which divided the Eastern and Western churches when they were added to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed in 1054 (“We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified”). This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a unique opportunity for reconciliation between Eastern and Western Christianity.

In other action, the council:

• Revised the 2025 current fund-spending authorization downward by $2.5 million, to $65,375,000.

• Authorized the ELCA Theological Discernment team to review and bring to the November 2025 Church Council meeting a recommendation on the request for a social message on white supremacy.

• Approved a definition of “hate groups” to be added to the “Definitions” section of “Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline” and related modifications to “Guidelines for Discipline of Rostered Ministers and Members of Congregations” as set forth in “Proposed Changes to Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline” as called for by the Committee on Appeals.

• Adopted continuing resolution amendments to “Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA” that relate to the churchwide organization.

• Elected or reelected members of the boards of directors of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University.

"They did it all...

"They stood tall..."

"They did it their way!"

A quick and ferocious storm followed ELCA's gay vote at the Minneapolis conventicle.

From the Facebook page - chapel, Lutheran Seminary.

ELCIC's Bishop Susan Johnson

To assist the church in this transition, National Church Council (NCC) has thoughtfully considered a discernment process in the lead up to the election of the new national bishop. 

“It is very important to be engaged in this process, as we look at what will set the stage for the next period of life of our church,” said NCC member Stephen Holmes (British Columbia Synod, Lay). “As we move forward, it may be challenging and a bit fearful, but also a very exciting time, as we discern where we are going and how we are going to get there. It will be important that people feel that they are a part of this and can participate in this process because this is their church.”

“We don’t want to be ground to the past,” he said. “But we need to be looking forward as to what can we be, or what can we become to meet the needs in our community and what we’re called to be. Finding the right person with the appropriate gifts to fulfill that role is the next step.”

Francis Scott Key - Better Than F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby (100 Years Ago)

 

"Before the Lord We Bow"
by Francis S. Key, 1779-1843

Tune - Darwall's 148th - linked here

1. Before the Lord we bow,
The God who reigns above
And rules the world below
In boundless pow'r and love.
Our thanks we bring,
In joy and praise
Our hearts we raise
To heav'n's high King.

2. The nation Thou hast blest
May well Thy love declare,
From foes and fears at rest,
Protected by Thy care.
For this fair land,
For this bright day,
Our thanks we pay--
Gifts of Thy hand.

3. May ev'ry mountain height,
Each vale and forest green,
Shine in Thy Word's pure light
And its rich fruits be seen!
May ev'ry tongue
Be tuned to praise
And join to raise
A grateful song!

4. Earth, hear thy Maker's voice,
Thy great Redeemer own;
Believe, obey, rejoice,
And worship Him alone.
Cast down thy pride,
Thy sin deplore,
And bow before
The Crucified.

5. And when in power He comes,
Oh, may our native land
From all its rending tombs
Send forth a glorious band,
A countless throng,
For aye to sing
To heaven's high King
Salvation's song!

Hymn #575
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 145:1
Author: Francis S. Key, 1832, alt.
Composer: John Darwall, 1770
Tune: "Darwall's 148th"

 George Washington at Valley Forge, by Arnold Friberg

 Francis Scott Key
He freed his own slaves, Handbook, TLH, p. 531.

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts 3

 

KJV Acts 3

3 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Superfluous Pronouns - Winning

 

All Time Views11,986,665

YDS Biography 

"Professor Tonstad is a constructive theologian working at the intersection of Christian theology with feminist and queer theory. Her first book, God and Difference: The Trinity, Sexuality, and the Transformation of Finitude(link is external), was published by Routledge in 2016 and was named both as a best new book in ethics and a best new book in theology in Christian Century in the spring of 2017." 

Employees at multiple federal agencies were ordered to remove pronouns from their email signatures by Friday afternoon, according to internal memos obtained by ABC News that cited two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office seeking to curb diversity and equity programs in the federal government.

"Pronouns and any other information not permitted in the policy must be removed from CDC/ATSDR employee signatures by 5.p.m. ET on Friday," according to one such message sent Friday morning to CDC staff.

I was a bit confused about media people "using their pronouns with their names" when writing to the White House. Apparently the journalists were still adding pronouns to their signatures to prove something as stale as yesterday's scrambled eggs. So the White House did not even respond to the pronoun abusers.

Recently someone from Yale Divinity encouraged me to drive down to Little Rock for some kind of YDS conference, ending the request with he, him, they or some vapid variation for the gender sensitive. I responded by saying "Me, myself, and I will not attend...ever." Messages stopped. 

Before that, the 1973 YDS graduate class seemed to be immune to a 50 year reunion. I wonder why.

I recently noticed that the University of Phoenix was still addicted to pronouns, in spite of their DEI flop. Recently they were still sending out messages with their names and a group of pronouns in parentheses. 

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Palm Sunday - "First he says: “Tell ye” the daughter of Zion. This is said to the ministry and a new sermon is given them to preach, namely, nothing but what the words following indicate, a right knowledge of Christ. Whoever preaches anything else is a wolf and deceiver. This is one of the verses in which the Gospel is promised of which Paul writes in Romans 1:2; for the Gospel is a sermon from Christ, as he is here placed before us, calling for faith in him."

 

Matthew 21:1-9. Christ Enters Jerusalem: or Faith; Good Works; and the Spiritual Meaning of This Gospel

7. First he says: “Tell ye” the daughter of Zion. This is said to the ministry and a new sermon is given them to preach, namely, nothing but what the words following indicate, a right knowledge of Christ. Whoever preaches anything else is a wolf and deceiver. This is one of the verses in which the Gospel is promised of which Paul writes in Romans 1:2; for the Gospel is a sermon from Christ, as he is here placed before us, calling for faith in him.

8. I have often said that there are two kinds of faith. First, a faith in which you indeed believe that Christ is such a man as he is described and proclaimed here and in all the Gospels, but do not believe that he is such a man for you, and are in doubt whether you have any part in him and think:

Yes, he is such a man to others, to Peter, Paul, and the blessed saints; but who knows that he is such to me and that I may expect the same from him and may confide in it, as these saints did?

9. Behold, this faith is nothing, it does not receive Christ nor enjoy him, neither can it feel any love and affection for him or from him. It is a faith about Christ and not in or of Christ, a faith which the devils also have as well as evil men. For who is it that does not believe that Christ is a gracious king to the saints? This vain and wicked faith is now taught by the pernicious synagogues of Satan. The universities (Paris and her sister schools), together with the monasteries and all Papists, say that this faith is sufficient to make Christians. In this way they virtually deny Christian faith, make heathen and Turks out of Christians, as St. Peter in 2 Peter 2:1 had foretold: “There shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them.”

Zoom Did Not Work Tonight - Linking Did Not Work Correctly

The linking went wrong from the beginning tonight, and I know it was mixed up several ways, including the attempt at hymns.

More mixing did not work.

The Acts lecture will be at 10 AM Central Daylight time. I will start that extra early.

Thank you for your patience. 

Pastor Jackson

The Not So Great Gatsby

 

We read The Great Gatsby in English class. Later, Christina and I watched the movie together in 1974. The 100th anniversary of the novel is this year - that went fast! 

We watched the DiCaprio version of Gatsby - just a kid!

I found a good video about the literature experts fighting over the F. Scott Fitzgerald story and the facts behind writing the novel. That is another layer of Gatsby - a spooky parallel to the so-called Biblical scholars who know everything except the actual text.

Novels are not interesting to me anymore. I opened Moby Dick recently and thought, "I cannot read this!"

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Palm Sunday Epistle - "What terrible judgment must come upon those who fail to imitate the ineffable example of Christ; who do not humble themselves below their neighbors and serve them, but rather exalt themselves above them!"

 

Luther's Sermons - Philippians 2:5-11.
Palm Sunday Epistle

TEXT:

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

CHRIST AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE.

1. Here Paul again presents to us as a powerful example of the celestial and eternal fire, the love of Christ, for the purpose of persuading us to exercise a loving concern for one another. The apostle employs fine words and precious admonitions, having perceived the indolence and negligence displayed by Christians in this matter of loving. For this the flesh is responsible. The flesh continually resists the willing spirit, seeking its own interest and causing sects and factions. Although a sermon on this same text went forth in my name a few years ago, entitled “The Twofold Righteousness,” the text was not exhausted; therefore we will now examine it word by word. “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

2. You are Christians; you have Christ, and in him and through him all fullness of comfort for time and eternity: therefore nothing should appeal to your thought, your judgment, your pleasure, but that which was in the mind of Christ concerning you as the source of your welfare. For his motive throughout was not his own advantage; everything he did was done for your sake and in your interest. Let men therefore, in accord with his example, work every good thing for one another’s benefit. “Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” [“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”] 3. If Christ, who was true God by nature, has humbled himself to become servant of all, how much more should such action befit us who are of no worth, and are by nature children of sin, death and the devil! Were we similarly to humble ourselves, and even to go beyond Christ in humility — a thing, however, impossible — we should do nothing extraordinary. Our humility would still reek of sin in comparison with his. Suppose Christ to humble himself in the least degree — but a hair’s breadth, so to speak — below the most exalted angels; and suppose we were to humble ourselves to a position a thousand times more abased than that of the devils in hell; yet our humility would not compare in the least with that of Christ. For he is an infinite blessing — God himself — and we are but miserable creatures whose existence and life are not for one moment secure.

4. What terrible judgment must come upon those who fail to imitate the ineffable example of Christ; who do not humble themselves below their neighbors and serve them, but rather exalt themselves above them! Indeed, the example of Christ may well terrify the exalted, and those high in authority; and still more the self-exalted. Who would not shrink from occupying the uppermost seat and from lording it over others when he sees the Son of God humble and eliminate himself?

The Church of the Lutheran Confession (sic) Is Also Shrinking

 

Someone contacted me about previously serving as the pastor at Faith (CLC)  in New Ulm, MN. Once that was established, I was asked to provide a photo from those years, because they are making a pastor picture wall.  Would you be able to share?

I am always willing to share pre-historic photos when asked, so I sent one. 

"Actually I am looking for a picture of you about the time you served.  We are making a pastor picture wall.  Would you be able to share?" 

This was the bonus - "I have to say you have aged well.  Do you have one of you for back then. I have one of you and your wife.  But you two are to (sic) close for me to her not showing."

The emails ended with "Ok. TY. Have a wonderful"

Faith in New Ulm no longer holds worship services, as far as I could tell. They closed the Nicollet parish many years go. Sleepy Eye has a CLC (sic) parish, so maybe they have enough space for all the previous pastors.

Donkey basketball fills the rafters at the CLC high school/college/seminary, so they might want to increase the franchise.

So Bad - The Lutheran Sects Have To Be Replaced. The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)

 

Oh how quickly the LCMS follows the ELCA standards of expensive gowns!

When I read about Matt the Fatt dealing with universities, I have to suppress a chuckle. After all, he only earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree to be ordained - maybe even a Master's Degree. He might have earned an STM, fairly simple, but that was only one notch up, not likely for someone always looking for advancement. Scholars are divided on this issue.

I wrote master's degree because that is what the seminaries adopted when everyone wanted to get a degree beefier than a B.Div. Many paid $50 to replace the bachelor's degree with a master's, an expensive switch. 

Olson had a buddy write to Christian News (sic) doubting whether Larry ever went to Fuller Seminary. I read Olson's DMin essay (not really a thesis) in the Martin Luther Library. McGavran was pro-abortion in his famous book.

But lo, the Lutheran DMin was promoted next -  to make more money for their seminaries. Robert Preus boasted that the Ft. Wayne's DMin for Church Growth was much better than "others." Hint - It was said that Fuller had the largest number of Lutheran DMin students, certainly a source of pride for them and their addled students. Fuller built up their business by having all the denominations study foreign missions at first, then gathering the American executives for a much greater harvest of fools for the overflowing Fuller coffers.

Archbishop Liz Eaton is up for election in July, in Phoenix, enjoying the cooling zephyrs of summer.

Nota bene. All the Lutheran executives (foreign and American) studied together at Pasadena - LCA/ALC then ELCA, LCMS, WELS, and a dash of ELS. Fuller and Thrivent also united the Lutherans because they had so much toxicity in common. I recall a notorious drunken WELS leader telling me about the ELCA executives he knew from the latest pan-Lutheran conference.

The gardens are coming alive now in Northwest Arkansas. There is enough sun and rain to see the contrast between dead roses and exuberant ones (like Enchanted Peace). Local weeds fill in all the spaces and soon the weed-whacker will diminish them to create new opportunities. One does not simply chop away at plants. 

The collapsing Lutherans are vanishing quickly because they have nothing Scriptural and promote everything commercial. Some mission pastors are selling "merch" to potential members, as if fad clothing replaces the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Palm Sunday (Using Advent 1 Reading) - "First he says: “Tell ye” the daughter of Zion. This is said to the ministry and a new sermon is given them to preach, namely, nothing but what the words following indicate, a right knowledge of Christ. Whoever preaches anything else is a wolf and deceiver. This is one of the verses in which the Gospel is promised of which Paul writes in Romans 1:2; for the Gospel is a sermon from Christ, as He is here placed before us, calling for faith in Him."

 

Matthew 21:1-9. Christ Enters Jerusalem: or Faith; Good Works; and the Spiritual Meaning of This Gospel

TEXT: Matthew 21:1-9.  

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

1. In the preface I said that there are two things to be noted and considered in the Gospel lessons: first, the works of Christ presented to us as a gift and blessing on which our faith is to cling and exercise itself; secondly, the same works offered as an example and model for us to imitate and follow.

All the Gospel lessons thus throw light first on faith and then on good works. We will therefore consider this Gospel under three heads: speaking first of faith; secondly of good works, and thirdly of the lesson story and its hidden meaning.

I. CONCERNING FAITH.

2. This Gospel encourages and demands faith, for it prefigures Christ coming with grace, whom none may receive or accept save he who believes him to be the man, and has the mind, as this Gospel portrays in Christ. Nothing but the mercy, tenderness and kindness of Christ are here shown, and he who so receives and believes on him is saved. He sits not upon a proud steed, an animal of war, nor does he come in great pomp and power, but sitting upon an ass, an animal of peace fit only for burdens and labor and a help to man. He indicates by this that he comes not to frighten man, nor to drive or crush him, but to help him and to carry his burden for him. And although it was the custom of the country to ride on asses and to use horses for war, as the Scriptures often tell us, yet here the object is to show that the entrance of this king shall be meek and lowly.

Again it also shows the pomp and conduct of the disciples towards Christ who bring the colt to Christ, set him thereon, and spread their garments in the way; also that of the multitude who also spread their garments in the way and cut branches from the trees. They manifested no fear nor terror, but only blessed confidence in him as one for whom they dared to do such things and who would take it kindly and readily consent to it.

3. Again, he begins his journey and comes to the Mount of Olives to indicate that he comes out of pure mercy. For olive oil in the Scriptures signifies the grace of God that soothes and strengthens the soul as oil soothes and strengthens the body.

4. Thirdly, there is no armor present, no war-cry, but songs and praise, rejoicing and thanksgiving to the Lord.

5. Fourthly, Christ weeps, as Luke 19:41, writes, weeps over Jerusalem because she does not know nor receive such grace; yet he was so grieved at her loss that he did not deal harshly with her.

6. Fifthly, his goodness and mercy are best shown when he quotes the words of the prophets, Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9, and tenderly invites men to believe and accept Christ, for the fulfilling of which prophecies the events of this Gospel took place and the story was written, as the Evangelist himself testifies. Therefore we must look upon this verse as the chief part of this Gospel, for in it Christ is pictured to us and we are told what we are to believe, and to expect of him, what we are to seek in him, and how we may be benefited by him.

7. First he says: “Tell ye” the daughter of Zion. This is said to the ministry and a new sermon is given them to preach, namely, nothing but what the words following indicate, a right knowledge of Christ. Whoever preaches anything else is a wolf and deceiver. This is one of the verses in which the Gospel is promised of which Paul writes in Romans 1:2; for the Gospel is a sermon from Christ, as he is here placed before us, calling for faith in him.

Charlie's Discipline

 Charlie Sue is highly trained in handling the handler.

My favorite is looking down at Charlie as she fixes a stare at me, failing to serve her needs. No smiles, just a glare of disappointment.

She has trained me in taking her to the PARK! twice a day. If the second trip is not starting out, she jumps on the bed and begins lightly chewing on my forearms with a demonic and fun attitude.

Sessions with snacks are expected, encouraged by dramatic licking of the jaws.

She has impressed me outdoors with a great love of bolting out of hidden places, grinning, and creating a circle of evasion. This is her best trick and she loves to engage and then tear off in another direction.

She volunteers as the acolyte, getting ready for each service, always sitting nearby, then retiring to favorite place.