Todd Wilken shared a link.
"All theology is pastoral theology. We must not forget this. Doctrine has no place being discussed among ivory tower theologians if it cannot be preached all the way from the pulpit to the deathbed." -Anthony Voltattorni
ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - The antidote trusts the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
WELS and Martin Luther College - Breeding Grounds for Sociopathic Behavior
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| The WELS Conference of Presidents and the Mequon faculty should wear this clergy attire. |
Pastor Jackson,
I was pleased that you posted some of the recent Facebook dialog that you have had with some synod minders. Recently, I was made aware of a mind game known as "gas lighting". Although I am not a big fan of the deeper psychological theories, gas lighting is something that has always bothered me, especially when on the receiving end of it.
I also appreciated the recent post on Jack Hyles. I did some research on him and found out quite a bit about him that I never knew. I am not clever or patient enough to take on those who are so devious and snarky. My problem is that I work with honest people all day long. It does make wonder if the WELS and Martin Luther College are a breeding grounds for sociopaths.
***
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| Schroeder bent over backwards for Joel Hochmuth, and promotes the Mark Jeske sub-synod, which tells us what we need to know about Schroeder's integrity. |
GJ - WELS, Martin Luther College, the two surviving preps, and Mequon are definitely breeding grounds for sociopathic behavior. The Wisconsin Synod is an abusive cult where pastors and laity take loutish and criminal behavior as normal, natural, and proof of their Gospel-soaked culture.
Look at my developing Top Ten Crimes in WELS. According to the dean at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (one prep schood), it is a violation of the Eighth Commandment to say that Al Just murdered his wife, even though a jury convicted him - and he also confessed it to someone.
Consider the graduation of Zachary Stowe from Martin Luther College. The college wanted him to stay in the closet, long after graduation, to make them look good. I know a number of people who were kicked out of MLC, out of pure spite - yet Stowe could cut a deal.
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| MLC's Schone needs some wardrobe advice - or a convenient house fire. He was speaking at the latest WELS cult convention. I dress better to mow the lawn. |
The abusive leaders silence anyone who questions their criminal behavior. Obstruction of justice is a felony - and they are obliged to obey the laws of this country.
But the biggest problem is the cowardly refusal to take on the thugs who run the show. The Anything Goes District loved to complain about Engelbrecht (covertly) but they had nothing to say on the convention floor.
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| "Don't worry, darling, WELS will never tell the synod about your crimes. They will act shocked and deny they know anything." |
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Disturbing WELS Meditation UOJ Message: Endorsed by Mark Schroeder, the Mequon Faculty, the ELS, Paul McCain, Matt the Fat Harrison, Rolf Preus, Mad Jack Cascione, The Rolf Synod, Pope John the Malefactor (ELS), ELCA, And All the Mainliners
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| Jungkuntz was chairman of the board of the first gay Lutheran seminary - Seminex. |
Reader:
The other is from WELS's Meditations, March-May 2014, for Monday, 17
March 2014. The howler is in the second column which reads: "No matter what
you did yesterday -- or failed to do -- and no matter what you will do tomorrow,
God has forgiven you."
Now, try saying that and putting in a sin from the
second table of the Law. Were I to say, for example, that I committed adultery
yesterday and I'm going to do it tomorrow, God has forgiven me. Somehow, that
doesn't make sense. Nor would it were I to say "murder" or theft" or anything
other sin, "big" or "little." I'm not sure if this is an example of UOJ or just
the inability to think or perhaps a combination of both -- a "bifecta"? This is
the pap that is peddled in Meditations -- and remember, this is the
stuff that goes unfiltered into the homes of the unsuspecting.
Roses, Birds, and God's Creation
My vegetable garden morphed into roses rather quickly. I was late for some food plants, wary of tearing into underground stuff with my neighbor's soil osterizer.
Late was good for bargain bare-root roses. The original eight began four more, when the altar guild figured the new ones were a good deal.
Gardening is great fun because we only do 1% of the work - if that. Every day there are new signs of progress.
The original bare root roses are leafing out, which got me to trim our unkempt maple in the front yard. A plain yard does not need more sun, but roses do. My helper trimmed while I snagged limbs with my rake. The front yard already looks better.
The four new ones are red shrubs. They flower profusely though not in the long, graceful stems of the hybrid tea rose. They are already full of buds while the bare-root roses are beginning to leaf out.
The birds love the thick mulch and newspaper layer around the roses. I can see where one shredding the newspaper to get at insects and worms underneath. I also see craters in the mulch where one has pecked to get at something.
Water promotes decomposition, and decomposition favors soil creatures of all kinds. The ocean of life in the soil keeps it light, manured, aerated, and productive. Every creature feeds and becomes food.
The moles invited themselves over from the backyard, where they plowed one third of that area. For some reason they decided to cut through on the side, toss up that soil, and move to the front. Experts tell me there is no solution: moles are good for the soil.
ELCA Bishop Gets Special Deal after Driving Drunk,
Running Down a Woman And Running Away.
DUIs Are Best Experienced in Wisconsin
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| An ELCA bishop would drink and drive and flee the accident scene? Burnside did. |
A former Lutheran bishop accused of killing a runner while driving drunk is expected to plead guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of reckless homicide in exchange for prosecutors dismissing other charges.
The trial for the Rev. Bruce Burnside was scheduled to start Monday in Dane County Circuit Court. The plea agreement angered the victim’s husband.
“What the District Attorney’s Office is doing is wrong, it’s morally wrong,” said Kevin Mengelt, of Sun Prairie. “It allows the case to wrap up quickly, but that is the only balm offered my family.”
Burnside, 60, was charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor in the death of Maureen Mengelt, 52. The charges included felony homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and felony hit-and-run involving death.
Burnside was driving to a church event on April 7, 2013, when he lost control of his vehicle on a highway exit ramp in Sun Prairie and hit Mengelt, who was out for a Sunday training run. Prosecutors allege Burnside fled the scene in his vehicle. Police first spoke with him at a nearby gas station.
A preliminary breath test determined he had a blood alcohol level of 0.128 percent, according to the criminal complaint. The legal limit for driving in Wisconsin is 0.08 percent.
Under the plea agreement, Burnside will plead guilty to second-degree reckless homicide, a felony, said John Hyland, Burnside’s attorney. Hyland said his client also will plead guilty to a first offense of drunken driving, which in Wisconsin is a civil violation, not a crime.
As part of the agreement, the prosecution will seek no more than eight years in prison, Hyland said. He declined to say what punishment he will recommend for his client. The sentencing judge is not bound by the recommendations.
Kevin Mengelt said the plea agreement does not capture the horrific nature of Burnside’s crime.
“I want his record to reflect what he actually did,” Mengelt said. “The two most important elements are the hit-and-run homicide and the OWI (operating while intoxicated) homicide. Of the two of them, I think the hit and run is the more morally reprehensible. He knew he hit someone and he fled the scene.”
While the drunken driving violation at least acknowledges Burnside was drunk, “that’s so dramatically less than what he actually did,” Mengelt said.
Mengelt said he was included in conversations with prosecutors leading up to the plea agreement and expressed his views to them.
District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said he is constrained in what he can say about the plea agreement because it is an open case.
“We understand this is a difficult situation, not only for the victim’s family but for the community,” he said.
Ozanne said the dismissed charges will be read into the record, which means the judge can consider the conduct contained in those charges when sentencing Burnside. Ozanne noted that the felony charge Burnside will plead guilty to is of the same class, or level of seriousness, as several of the dismissed felonies.
Hyland said the terms of the plea agreement are appropriate given unresolved matters in the case. Although the judge in Burnside’s case ruled prosecutors can use results of a blood draw, the state Court of Appeals is considering whether the state’s approach to drawing blood from drivers is constitutional.
The plea agreement eliminates the issue in Burnside’s case, Hyland said.
“It provides the opportunity (for Burnside) to accept responsibility and the ability to do so in a way that gives up, on his part, any future appeal or ability to undo a conviction based on rulings from the Court of Appeals that have not been issued yet,” Hyland said.
At the time of the crash, Burnside was bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). His term ended last June.
Until now, he has retained the title of reverend, although according to his denomination’s rules, once he pleads guilty to a felony, he will be required to resign or will be removed from the ELCA roster of clergy members. Hyland said Burnside will resign from the clergy prior to entering his plea.
The second annual Maureen Mengelt Memorial 5K run is scheduled for May 26, in Sun Prairie. Computer hackers recently hijacked the race’s website, Kevin Mengelt said. Registrants should now go to maureenmengelt.com/home.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/former-lutheran-bishop-to-plead-guilty-to-reduced-charges-in/article_4ce67f55-c855-59f4-b7a0-b5206a2bc26a.html#ixzz32G0GoLUS
***
GJ - In WELS you can drive drunk, get a ticket for crossing the center line, and still teach worship.
Or - you may de-bark a utility pole and get a post in the Ukraine.
If you are a DUI District President in WELS, you get a transfer to another district. Reboot the memory: voila! - it never happened.
Remember, clergy, if you enjoy driving drunk, get a call in Wisconsin, a state where the law is on your side.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Printed Books and E-Books - From Norma Boeckler - On Amazon.com.
Low-Cost Kindle E-Books
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| Norma Boeckler published a selection of her many expressions of art. |
I've had the pleasure of following and purchasing Norma's artwork over the years for both myself and others. Her publication features some of the most beautiful pieces she's created yet truly only scratches the surface of her entire body of work. Norma is a gifted artist and illustrator, and this book is a treasure my family and I will enjoy for many years to come. Momisunami
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'The Art of Norma Boeckler,' is a beautiful compilation of the paintings, pen and ink illustrations, and jewelry created by this talented artist. Her mastery of watercolor is clearly seen in her varied subject matters - flowers, butterflies, birds, abstracts, rugs, etc. The book is well-illustrated, capturing the vibrant colors in her original paintings. My favorite paintings are The Red Poppy (p. 3), Hummingbird (p. 27), Pears Delight (p. 41), and Pal (p. 65). I love the way Norma gives us a glimpse into the inspiration behind her artwork and the fun family facts woven throughout.
Although Norma specializes in watercolor paintings, her pen and ink drawings and hand-crafted jewelry allow you to see that her artistic abilities go far beyond the canvas. I appreciate the fact that Norma uses her artwork to honor and glorify the Lord. In the artist's own words, "The Lord has given each and every one of us a talent and we show our appreciation to Him, by using that talent to His glory." Maria Morgan
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The Art of Norma Boeckler, by Norma Boeckler, glorifies God by using her talent and skills to show us God's Creation and His revelation of grace in the Sacred Scriptures. Bethany Lutheran Church and all those connected with us through the blog, Internet worship, and books enjoy her art in many forms.
Norma loves to create religious art, but she pursues many avenues of expression. She seems to have unlimited abilities. In Japan, she learned about enameled jeweled. She studied Photoshop and Dreamweaver. She made special paper for her artwork. One has to wonder what she has not done.
Every art lover should own this book, because this volume collects Norma's work and displays it in various categories. The contents include:
1. Flowers
2. Butterflies
3. Birds
4. Still life
5. Landscapes
6. Portraits
7. Abstracts
8. Marine life
9. Rug paintings
10. Jewelry
11. Religious Books Illustrated
I am happy to add that her artwork has enhanced many graphics I created to emphasize Biblical verses, doctrinal statements, and Lutheran hymns. Her creations are shared in blogs and on Facebook, so many people have had a chance to comment on the beauty and design of her work.
Therefore, this book is only a glimpse of Norma Boeckler's work, and she continues at a rapid pace. I suggest this as a gift for adults and children, for all ages, because there is so much to delight the senses.
Among my favorites are the bird paintings, which capture the movement and charm of God's choir. Every morning they sing Matins, not knowing where their next meal will come from, as Martin Luther observed.
Norma enjoyed developing this book, and we are all grateful she devoted so much time to it. Our copy is a keepsake. Gregory L. Jackson
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Norma's book of her artwork is a direct reflection of her personality! The book is vibrant, versatile, and lovely... just like her!
We are glad to know her, and we Love the piece of her artwork that graces our home ... titled Dragonflies. Marian Bliss
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| Favorite quotations illustrated by Norma Boeckler's art. |
Norma Boeckler is a delightful person with an endless supply of artistic talent. I encouraged her to try Photoshop, which is a dream for every artistic person. She took lessons and quickly became proficient, thanks to her energetic nature and artistic eye.
If readers wonder why my Photoshops have improved, her advice is the reason why. I cannot match her ability, but I am happy to take her advice.
The best part of her sharing is her ability to display the message of the Christian faith to people around the world, enjoying the painstaking labor and rejoicing in its spread. Some Lutherans should stop and think about how much Gospel has been spread for no additional cost when they believe than money is the Means of Grace, the sine qua non of effective evangelism.
A Treasury of Inspirational Quotations by Norma Boeckler
Midland, Michigan has already hosted a promotion for this new book, and Gibbs Garden in Atlanta is doing the same. Norma has won many awards for her art and traveled to Japan to show her work. She has been active in local artistic groups in Michigan, a vocation that began when she was a young girl.
This book features fourteen thematic sections:
Jesus is Our Savior.
Jesus is Our Lord.
Jesus is Love.
Baptism.
Jesus Forgives.
Jesus is Our Righteousness.
Jesus is Our Confidence.
Jesus Our Help When in Trouble.
Obedience to God.
Faith in God.
Holy Spirit.
Prayer.
Return of Christ.
Eternity.
Norma uses Scripture passages from the English Luther Bible - the King James Version. And she quotes from The Lutheran Hymnal, which has not been equaled in over 70 years - not that anyone has tried very hard.
The combination of Christian art and classic sources is a treasury, available in print and also as an e-book.
Since this is a visual book, I am going to post a number of examples on this page. They are some of my favorites.
Who would want to own this book?
This volume would be welcomed by young and old alike, because it honors Aristotle's dictum to edify and delight. Drawings and photographs dominate the space, but they are united with hymns and the Scriptures. I can picture grandparents and grandchildren enjoying the book equally. All ages, laity and pastors, will appreciate the spirit and design of this volume.
When someone wonders what kind of special gift to give someone, for a birthday, anniversary, or confirmation, this will work out well. If they have faith, they will welcome the message. If they are spiritually inert, they will be drawn to the beauty of the work and perhaps stay for the message of the efficacious Word. Gregory L. Jackson
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I have come to realize over the years that my faith is expressed through the words of familiar hymns and Bible verses. In times of happiness, in times of sorrow, in times of stress, in times of peace lyrics and and long ago memorized Bible passages give me strength and hope. This book, A Treasury of Inspirational Quotes, is an amazing visual representation of my inner thoughts and religious faith. The combination of the photography and the detailed drawings paint an incredible guide and reference as a daily devotional. It can be read straight through or the table of contents helps to direct the reader to individual interests or needs. The book makes a great gift for a friend or an addition to your own library. Mary Parsons Caisley
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This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring books I have read in ages. The pictures, art work and all the quotes are wonderful. I have Norma Boeckler's first book and enjoyed it just as much
Alicia Meyer
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A beautiful compilation of Bible verses, photography, and hymns, A Treasury of Inspirational Quotes is a book that points the reader to the Creator. Norma Boeckler pairs inspiring scripture passages with lovely outdoor scenery that keeps the reader turning the pages. A wonderful addition to any library. Maria Morgan
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| My Lutheran Hymnal - hymn texts arranged by era and by author. |
Upcoming
The Augsburg Confession - illustrated by Norma Boeckler. In production now.
Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant - illustrated by Norma Boeckler. Editing new version.
Over the Horizon -
Metamorphosis: Murder in Millionaires Row (apologetic novel)
Luther Quotations - Collected but still to be finalized.
Most of the books found on Lulu.com.
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