Bitter Winds Blowing Through Minnesota

 

No wonder the intellectuals do not accept the Gospel of John. Their errors make them blind to the truth. That was already foreseen as people realized the complexity of the Universe and their own perplexity. All will become clear in the future.

To set up - follow outline and record video. Use "hit record" to start recording

 

1. Set Up Your Equipment: Use a smartphone or a home studio setup. Ensure your background is clean and organized. 

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2. Record Your Video: Follow your outline and record your video. Use the "Hit Record" button to start recording. 

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Sleepy Eye Assisted Living - 1100 1st Ave S. Apt 243 - Sleepy Eye MN 56085-1863

  

Sleepy Eye Assisted Living

1100 1st  Ave S.

Apt 243

Sleepy Eye MN 56085-1863

Same I-Phone number.

My health is quite good, but my memory is uncertain. This allows continuing work with the Gospels. 

Bethany Lutheran Church began in New Ulm, in 1997. We used a special phone at our home-made chapel in New Ulm to reach others. 

Later we were invited to a congregation forming in Phoenix. Bella Vista came later.

Many books and blogs were distributed. The efficacious Word and Sacraments continue. 

John 2:12 - Babylon the Great Is Fallen

Enlarged

Look for galaxies in galaxies and "evolution." Ha!

John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

Just as the wedding was a family gathering, so are His brothers and His mother and disciples going to Capernaum. The wording is simple and vivid.

13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

John's Gospel marked the passovers - Jesus went there again, reminding us of the boy in the Temple, the the Son of God, revealing and in awe.

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

The whip revealed Jesus' rejection of materials when people mocked the Temple and God the Father Himself.

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

John's fifth book, his Revelation, reveals the ultimate in Babylon's merchandise and obscenities.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 

Revelation 18 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

 Revelation 17 and 18 are the ultimate expressions of Jesus' divine opposition. These two chapters must be read carefully, because they are our world today.

The Pillars of Creation

 

Sleepy Eye - Minnesota - Settling In

 

Sleepy Eye Assisted Living

1100 1st  Ave S.

Apt 243

Sleepy Eye MN 56085-1863

Same I-Phone number.

My health is quite good, but my memory is uncertain. This allows continuing work with the Gospels. 

Bethany Lutheran Church began in New Ulm, in 1997. We used a special phone at our home-made chapel in New Ulm to reach others. 

Later we were invited to a congregation forming in Phoenix. Bella Vista came later.

Many books and blogs were distributed. The efficacious Word and Sacraments continues. 

YouTube - Working On Broadcasts - Today Onward

 

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

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Wribxu9mK00  starts out well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IUBQY6bnkE very good and articulate.

What worked before was using YouTube. Ideas are welcome, maybe phone me.

Challenges - But with Great Changes

 My friends were talking about changes in various blogs and discussions. We have changed from being the Baby Boomers of the 1950s, with great losses and reduction of those people from that era. 

One sign comes from the numbers of Assistant Living - often used as the title of the facility. Long ago we had hospitals, but now the hospital nursing side is bed-ridden in large numbers, aided by assistant living - apart from surgery and the in-and-out treatments.

The next two years should be especially volatile, with the Supreme Court stopping much of the nation's spread of single judges creating their own national spread of peculiar laws. Most of us have seen the single, activist judges becoming their own laws. The US Constitution should rescue us from those frivolous attempts. 

The establishment denominations know how hard they are trying to repeat the past. "Do the math." 

When was the last time someone read the massive volumes of Karl Barth? (I thought so.)

"Bright Eyes" Packed the Auditorium with Shirley Temple Fans - Like Me

 

 I plan to post YouTube videos, starting tomorrow. That will be a primary goal.

No one misses a Shirley Temple movie on purpose. A somewhat younger participant for the movie, who knew all stories, burst into laughter from that little girl who was born in 1938.

That is my introductory for Sleepy Eye's Assistant Living facility, which is attached to a larger nursing area for more people, more medical problems. Opinions vary about how this works. Many take advantage of all the equipment that enables serious leg and feet to be stable and relatively easy to maneuver. It is impressive to see how many ways people can use for mobility.

A number of people have told me, at the facility, that they have memory lapses too. One resident said, "We all do!" My parents did and they also had impressive longevity. 

January 11, 2026 - Sunday Worship - Older Version

 

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

An Epiphany Service Video from 2025

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 2025

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Below is an older version - text only with hymns and no Vimeo.

Bethany Lutheran Church - Springdale

10 AM Central Time

The Hymn #44     Ye Lands  - Koren (ELS)

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

The Introit

Worship Him, all ye His angels: 

Zion heard and was glad.

The daughters of Judah rejoiced: 

because of Thy judgments, O Lord.

Psalm. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice: 

let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle 

The Gradual

The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord: 

and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.

V. When the Lord shall build up Zion: 

He shall appear in His glory. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice: 

let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Hallelujah!

      

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
  

The Sermon Hymn #381    I Know My Faith Is Founded  

God's Effective Word

The Hymn # 264        Preserve Thy Word 
 

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #45     Now the Hour of Worship      

     

Prayers and Announcements

• Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Pastor K, Dr. Lito Cruz, Kermit and Maria Way.

  Graphic by Norma A. Boeckler

            

KJV Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

KJV Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Third Sunday After Epiphany

O almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all dangers and necessities stretch forth Thy mighty hand, to defend us against our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

This mint is called Bee Balm for some reason.

God's Effective Word

Introduction

Biblical doctrine is very much like Creation itself. Once we identify something, the very thing we overlooked becomes more populated than dandelions in spring. My supervisor helped his son in Scouts identify birch trees. Once he knew it himself, he saw birch trees everywhere. He never realized how many birch trees were in his town.

Likewise, once we realize the crucial passages about the efficacy of the Word exist, the examples are everywhere, from Genesis 1 to Isaiah 53 and 55 to the Psalms, to the Gospels and Paul - Romans 10 especially, Hebrews 4 too.

Also, because the efficacy of the Word is essential to the Bible, leaving it out is catastrophic, letting the organization become crucial or the numbers of members or the balanced budget or the works. The errors of today's visible churches are the result of ignoring or rejecting the efficacy of God's Word.

KJV Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

When people study the Bible to make fun of it or to find fault with it, the Word is effective in hardening their hearts. Nevertheless, God has many ways to reach people through the Word - different forms, venues, people, circumstances. We are sheep, so there is a Psalm for all of us - Psalm 23.

KJV Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 KJV Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

The context matters a lot. This is just after the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. Jesus was coming down the mountain with multitudes following Him.  

KJV Isaiah 53:1 - "Who hath believed our report.?" Romans 10:16 - "For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" Faith in the Savior comes from hearing the report.

This gave the leper a chance to come to Jesus, already believing in His divine power. The crowds had a chance to see that a miracle was taking place. Thus the very special Sermon was followed by the miracle, showing everyone that Jesus' divine power matched His Word.

3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses com-manded, for a testimony unto them.

Luther:

1. Two examples of faith and love are taught in this Gospel: one by the leper, the other by the centurion. Let us first consider the leper. This leper would not have been so bold as to go to the Lord and ask to be cleansed, if he had not trusted and expected with his whole heart, that Christ would be kind and gracious and would cleanse him. For because he was a leper, he had reason to be timid. Moreover the law forbids lepers to mingle with the people. Nevertheless he approaches, regardless of law and people, and of how pure and holy Christ is.

2. Here behold the attitude of faith toward Christ: it sets before itself absolutely nothing but the pure goodness and free grace of Christ, without seeking and bringing any merit. For here it certainly cannot be said, that the leper merited by his purity to approach Christ, to speak to him and to invoke his help. Nay, just because he feels his impurity and unworthiness, he approaches all the more and looks only upon the goodness of Christ.

This is true faith, a living confidence in the goodness of God. The heart that does this, has true faith; the heart that does it not, has not true faith; as they do who keep not the goodness of God and that alone in sight, but first look around for their own good works, in order to be worthy of God’s grace and to merit it. These never become bold to call upon God earnestly or to draw near to him.

In Luther's sermon he teaches about people who rely on their works and boast about their own merit. The Bible calls it "kissing your own hand" or self-praise. That is widely practiced. Although people talk about doctrine, they relapse into "Look at this building!" and "We paid off our mortgage!" and "Count the members!"  I see so many church websites where there is very little Biblical teaching and a lot of activity which is purely secular.

The leper had nothing to offer, and people were likely quick to avoid him. He was unclean, sickly from the disease and very poor. He did not demand healing but asked "if it be your will."

Jesus did different things for each healing. Touching the leper was visual proof that He was not afraid of the disease and letting people know about His divine power. As He said in John, "If you do not believe my Word, then believe the miracles." Many thousands would have been even more certain from seeing the spectacular wonder.

Jesus gave specific orders - "Tell no man" means "Carry out the mission to the Jews of your cleansing and don't book time on the evening news." If the former leper stayed to talk with the crowd about what they already knew, he would likely miss the chance to be heard at the Temple, another chance for the priests to hear the Gospel.

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

This miraculous healing took place when a non-Jewish officer came to Jesus, also knowing about Him and confessing Jesus as Lord. He was not coming for himself but for his servant, who was tormented by his disease. Jesus offered to come and heal the servant, but the officer already believed in the effective Word of God. He believed with great trust that the power of Jesus' Word was so great that the Lord only needed to say the Word. In the leper's healing, the point was worthiness and complete trust. In this one, trust in Word for someone outside of Judaism.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 

He talked just like an officer, as one Sargeant said to me. "I am used to giving orders. I have done that my whole life." He knew about being an authority and ordering people under his authority.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus marvels at the faith of the centurion, to point out to others that this is the best attitude - pure trust  without limits to how or where the Word is effective.  But those who think they are children of Abraham (John 8) will not be allowed - cast out - because they do not believe.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

The centurion was under the authority of Jesus, who commanded the soldier. "Go your servant is now healed, as you prayed."

Yes! - Team Bethany Created a New Apartment Today - Saturday.

 

Many scholars led their pastors and members down the stony path of apostasy.

We had all kinds of blessings in moving from one place to another. Assisted Living is quite flexible in the right situation. I had no trouble meeting a few people from the start, before we even had the cardboard boxes open.

But listen to this one.

I walked down the hallway toward someone who was waiting for his wife. We talked a little and moved from geography to Lutherdom. He discussed the way the old Lutheran pastors faded away instead of being Lutheran. I told him about my experiences and feelings. We had quite a discussion, and I promised to keep on with him, and he got some books....

I expect to have something new on Sunday at 10 AM Central. I will work on something different but broadcast before. 

The True Glory of the Holy Family

 

Joseph, Mary, and the Baby

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

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I was thinking about travel this morning, scheduled now for Saturday. This Psalm reminds me of the glory of Jesus, bundled up for His travel, hardly known at all.

The Church today draws on her own glory, in contrast to the Scriptures. The ancient Hebrew foundation of the Messiah was long in coming to Israel. Even then, He matured into an adult while the priests and rabbis wondered and feared what was coming. They had the Word of God in their own hands, so they watched and listened.  The Two Natures of Jesus, human and divine, kept His unique position among His people. Many gathered around Him - others shunned Him as a leper.

Over the centuries the kingdoms surrounded their cities with great stone walls and military devices. So warlike! The Jewish people captured their water underneath Jerusalem, but one thing - terror  - locked them among the gigantic walls so that no one could leave. 

The Great Wall flattened Jerusalem, and Rome eventually gave into its own power. "The glory that was Rome is of another day."

But the greatest power came from the Son of God, dying for those who believed in Him. The minority learned that the Christian Faith could be hammered and persecuted to the ends of the earth, but the Faith of Jesus is greater than everyone.

The squeamish seminarians of the 1970s (I was there) were opposed to anything warlike, but what did they believe? Revelation makes it clear that the ultimate message is from God

21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Saturday and Sunday - Third Sunday after the Epiphany - Due to Traveling

 Epiphany 3 - Click on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6goACh4EuE

Yancy Is/Was an Editor at Christianity Today

 

Philip Yancey admits extramarital affair, will step away from ministry work to focus on marriage

"Philip Yancey has admitted to having an extramarital affair with a married woman for eight years, with the bestselling Christian author announcing that he's stepping away from ministry.

In an emailed statement to Christianity Today, where he was editor-at-large, the 76-year-old Yancey stated that “I confess that for eight years I willfully engaged in a sinful affair with a married woman.”

Some Concepts about Learning from the Scriptures

 

1. Sooner or later an individual will collide with a Biblical passage and that special verse - sometimes for warning, other times for blessings, forgiveness, and insight. Psalm 91 is a great example.
2. The KJV Bible is best for that, because a forgotten verse is much harder to find when everything changes.
3. Some people like hearing about favorite passages and books of the Bible. 
4. Someone who has never grasped Mark's Gospel will find it to be a great string of miracles, with each miracle having a special meaning for the healed.
5. If a name, title, or book is creating curiosity, that is a great time to slowly study why another person discovers the topic and learns a lot of new (but ancient) concepts.

Introduction to the Gospel of John - c- 1-7-26

 

1.37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

• This beginning chapter is dramatic in opening our senses to God Himself, the Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit
• John the Baptist as the martyr - witness - to the world. The disciples and their special work.