Worship on Sunday - God Willing, 10 AM

 

Long ago and far away - I began blogging with primitive equipment and only a few people to notice. I was ecstatic over a total of 100 people visiting the blog. Christina encouraged the effort and we found out how many people debated various issues, from the Church Growth fanatics, to the followers of King James' precise work, and the Luther-Melanchthon-Chemnitz triad.

Printing Lutheran books has always been enjoyable, especially with the artistic help and advice of Norma Boeckler. I enjoy the global reach of blogging.

That total of 100 people reading the blog has risen to a daily count from 2,000 to 40,000 views. 

The Glory of the Gospel

 

Psalm 91 is the fuel and candor and glory of the Old Testament Gospel, teaching so much of the entire Bible and yet offering in only a few verses. Anyone who feels distraught, worn, shunned, or crushed will find Psalm 91 one of the best possible aids. 

The Gospel is the Bible and our hearts long to hear, repeat, and embrace it.

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, is the voice of Psalm 91. The Son of God gives us the vision of all He does through the Father. People beg for the Savior to rescue and support Him - He is already there and eager to serve us. We are always in need and He is always anxious to lift us up and strengthen us.

We have the advantage of sheep, lambs, shepherd dog, and an earthly shepherd. How can anyone deny the value of a living, breathing example of John 10?

Or the work of the Good Samaritan, a beautiful example of Psalm 91!

The issue is not in wanting but needing to embrace what the Savior graciously offers for us.

Are any other animals more appealing than the lambs?

Foundational - Old Testament And New Testameent

 

We know that we cannot contain all the wisdom of the Bible - even the largest areas are a challenge. We should aim at the Biblical foundations rather than just zipping around like dragon flies over a warm summer pond.

Wise readers find that starting from the beginning and going through the Bible is a challenge, one that loses attention, although it can be done.

The Old Testament is wisely described as the foundation created for the New Testament sermons. And why not? Hebrew is an ancient language, relatively easy to learn around the world. The Son of God was just as much in Genesis as the Four Gospels.

If we only start at Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, the readers will find themselves with

• The Genesis Beginning of the Universe
• The Exodus Escape from Egypt's Slavery
• The Psalm Hymnal And Beautiful Poetry

Luther is so wonderful with the foundations that we can listen, read, and enjoy the down-to-earth language of the Reformer, Melanchthon, and Martin Chemnitz.

Tom Fisher, Farmer and Shepherd -

Dear Pastor Jackson,

It is raining this morning. All 13 lambs are staying close to their mother's side to keep dry. I noticed how white my lambs are even in rainy weather. This reminded me of Isaiah 1:18:

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." 

God promises to forgive our sins.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8

Christ is the lamb of God who takes all our sins upon Himself.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." John 1:29

God our heavenly Father laid all our sins on Jesus.

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

God our heavenly Father is merciful and gracious to us.

"The LORD executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so geat is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. " Psalm 103:6-13

In our baptism, God our heavenly Father clothed us in the righteousness of Christ and made us His dear children and heirs of eternal life.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7

We are justified by faith in Christ.

From "Faith to Faith" - The Open Mystery

 

In the past, many  Biblical scholars found "from faith to faith" to be difficult to understand. I recall the scholarly books that found it puzzling and enigmatic.

1.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 

When people began to emphasize the Faith of Jesus, the scales dropped from their eyes. Jesus has all the attributes of a believer because He was one from the beginning and remains the ultimate Believer. 

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed 

from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Once the Faith of Jesus is appreciated as a rare book or article, the readers open their eyes to the meaning of Romans 1:17.

More graphics here on this link

Forgotten Justification - KJV Romans 4 - Foundation of the Faith

The owner of his yard had a beautiful path to the front yard, but it was concealed by grass and weeds until he recognized the original beauty of the landscape.

4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Believing God is counted as forgiveness of sin rather than the works of man.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Sins are not covered by works but by forgiveness, as King David - knowing his sins - comprehended righteousness.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Forgiveness, then, only comes to us by faith in God.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

The Promise is not by any form of works by only by faith in God, not by law.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Thus the faith of Abraham, not his works, makes him the father of us all.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Faith is counted as righteousness, but the unbelieving world relies on works, often when people reject faith.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Believing is counting - God delivered Jesus from sin, and raised Him for His justification.

 

Grace - The Most Abused Word in the New Testament - Our Fault!

 

How easily we use the word "grace" while letting the concept wither and fade. Repetition of "grace" is even more likely to miss the connection.

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

"Boi Gollie!" as my father-in-law used to say. The only way we can enjoy grace is by faith in Jesus Christ. The abundance of grace is from the greatness of His. 

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Pastor Emeritus - Definition of the Title

 

In days of old, a pastor emeritus was given that title for years of previous labor and also for helping with the clerical work in a large, populated congregation.

Bethany Lutheran Church began about 30 years ago and has retained the title of the congregation. Moving to Sleepy Eye has opened up many new ways to serve others. For example, I participate in various activities with the elderly who use walkers, wheelchairs, steadying devices, and limited walking. Many of my new friends are in their 80s and 90s. That makes me the kid in many gatherings.

I cannot handle the demands of Zoom or YouTube, not to mention the aging eye strain. One approach is to use the regular Sunday service that is keyed to the season - like Epiphany 3 - but also limited in its scope. Emphasizing Sunday is a good way to use the weekdays.

Ordinary Food - Often Forgetting the Best

 

When I hear something new with recent hymns, I wonder, "Why can't they sing the greatest hymns?" People love great food - why not great music about the Christian Faith?

There are many kinds of addiction, but precious few are the best. Repetition of the best is good and long-lasting. I just heard a German Lutheran (older than I) reciting his German worship music from his youthful days in this area. The children attended worship in German, then English in Sunday School, and finally everyone at the English worship service. 

I favor repetition, so I repeat Psalm 91 out loud each day. I am also looking at other Psalms that have very special meaning. As I have written more than once, the phrases of the entire Bible are eerily close to Revelation - they renew at the birth of Jesus and move toward the ending (note Revelation 12 until the finish).

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GJ - KJV Psalm 88 - Yes, I have often felt this way.

88 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

14 Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?

15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.

16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.

17 They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.

18 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

The Internet Crashed Then Came BackMinus 5 Howling Weather

 

We are enjoying the brisk wind but not so much snowfall. One exit door had this sign - "Do not open this door!" I repeated that warning in another area - lots of laugh. It is minus five.

The Internet crashed first thing but came back. That makes me wonder when it will happen again.

Since people wonder - I am having a great time with a lot of people. A group of us gather before lunch and have a good time comparing various things, from the DairyQueen party here (great timing?) and cards and local history. Sleepy Eye has a number of WWII veterans, one who is 99 years old and still lively. 

I sat down at the local history meeting and the leader asked about my background. "Write any books?" I told him an approximate number. He and his best friends of the area had a great time reciting the memories of their earlier times down to high school events.

I get asked about how I landed here. Since a lot of the residents are from Sleepy Eye, I explain my years living in New Ulm, not far away. That makes me more of a local. 

Tom Fisher's Herd

 

January 18, 2026 - Second Sunday after the Epiphany - Sermon/Psalm Only - 10 AM Central

 

John 2 - Water into Wine - close to 3,000 views today.

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Psalm 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

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John 2 

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

Mary's presence was crucial for the general audience, elevating the importance of the miracle - the very first one, because Jesus's commands  and the water's change were so important. That later emphasized the healings of miracles because they were clearly from Jesus Himself.

2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

The number of their own group was rather large, and there was no indication of Joseph, here or anywhere else. Such are the stories when people name what they do not know.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

We had the good fortune to attend a wedding among the Kerala people from India - the province with the most Christians, known for their traditions. The bride's Kerala mother was in charge, down to the smallest item and tradition. Everything mattered to everyone, but especially for the mother. Mary told Jesus that they had no wine, a catastrophe on many levels, yet it was simply stated, in a couple of words. That can be misunderstood, such as giving so much power to Mary rather than the miracle and its source - the Lord of the Universe.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

The miraculous can be distorted as power from Mary, and so centuries of distortions came from the Middle Ages especially, making Mary the miraculous and often setting Jesus aside in their narrations. The lack of good information came from distortions and the lack of good sense. The Middle Ages covered about 1,000 years with no printing, and that made matters worse. Luther and the Reformation quashed those distortions and many lost their lives from teaching the truth rather than their magic.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Instead of being far above everyone else, Mary was just like the organized mother of many different cultures, even today. That is often noticed, no matter where and when, when a mother takes care of the nuptials.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

A firkin is almost 11 gallons each, a rural measure in America, cited in "The Music Man." This is a very large quantity of water turned into wine for a small group, an amount that would impress or shock everyone.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

Even today we have a world-wide hobby or craft of "magic." Anyone who asks can find videotapes showing how the "impossible" is done with their magic. Slow-motion or special levers can do the job, which is why Jesus did not touch the water-turned-to-wine.

8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

The servants did the work, so the water drew out and splashed out as wine, and not just any wine.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

The steps in this miracle are especially good for preventing the notions of pagan magic. John's Gospel is the last one produced, so this confirmed Jesus' miraculous, divine work, a key factor in all His preaching.

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

So this was not just a miracle, but a miracle without touching the water, a miracle proving something better than the original wine, proof that Jesus could change the elements without Christ touching them. This was therefore the foundation for so many blessed with His work and repeated across the centuries, showing the truth and power of the Son of God.

Sadly the modern rationalists are eager to deny Jesus' miracles and therefore reject Him. Worse - the skeptics mock the grace that draws people to the Truth. Faith in Jesus is grace.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The very first miracle promoted faith in the Messiah, even to the point of raising Lazarus from death, the risen one who joined Jesus, ate supper with Him!, and precipitated the crucifixion.

John 12 - 9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

The Bible is our book of genuine miracles, just as true in Psalm 91 in ancient times - and the same work today. 

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Pastor Jim Shrader, January 15 - birthday, Chris Shrader - January 19; Alicia Meyer getting better; Lori improving well.

Sleepy Eye Weather And Histories

 

Sleepy Eye Assisted Living

1100 1st  Ave S.

Apt 243

Sleepy Eye MN 56085-1863

Luther's description is hardly imagined today, because the "wicked spirits" have taken over and areeasily absorbed by almost all denominations.

We have some biting weather right now, about 10 days that will linger and howl, some days down to minus 10 and noisy wind.

Here is a little history of broadcasting.

1. We used an extra telephone for services at Bethany's homemade chapel, the handmade worship area formed for us by helpers and members.

2. AT&T rented their disks to us, $100 a month to avoid ads (such as fake insects on the screen).

3. AT&T upgraded, which led to Zoom...

4. Zoom seemed good about the same price, but got very complicated. YouTube came with simplicity -  after Zoom.

I am not simplicity with YouTube and hope to solve my problem. We have previous material to use, accordingly "live" YouTube - as they say. I grew up on re-runs, so I know about live programs being played again and again. The King James Version is like that!

Norma Boeckler

I want to thank everyone for their encouragement. Ichabod gets daily views from 2,000 to 6,000 to 65,000 people (no known figures). We started out at Bethany (refurbished garage) - aiming at 20 views per day.

KJV John 10

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Norma Boeckler