ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the National Council of Churches.
Friday, June 12, 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Brief But Worth Considering
Two groups of Christian organizations stumbled in the dark and woke up with most of their loot gone.
Norman Vincent Peale (Republican) became famous for The Power of Positive Thinking, 1952. Peale greatly influenced Robert Schuller, so Schuller's Power Principle Today was an easy one to model - or to emulate, depending if you like fancy words.
One might argue that the Peale-Schuller team - they were pals - got the mainline denominations into STAR POWER! - Lutherans, Methodists, Babtists and others saw "the bad moon risin."
Mega-Churches Are Quietly Collapsing, & Have Been For Decades. << Click on this - just above on Mega-Churches.
Someone said to me lately, "There is nothing left."
How Often Do We Have a Chance for This Passage!
Isaiah 53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 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.
6 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.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
The Concordia Choir (Moorhead, MN) - Beautiful Savior F.Melius Christiansen
The Concordia Choir (Moorhead, MN) -- Beautiful Savior.
F.Melius Christiansen.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Collapsing, and Abusive Churches - Ichabod, the Glory Has Departed
Mega-Churches Are Quietly Collapsing, & Have Been For Decades.
A friend contacted me to describe his knowledge of the worst Church Growth parishes (now collapsed). He may have seen the YouTube presentation I posted here - Mega-Churches Are Quietly Collapsing...
The conversation involved the person's knowledge of the Lutheran synods (ELCA, LCMS, WELS, ELS) - falling apart here, there, everywhere.
I am going to list the non-Lutheran collapsing and abusive parishes (YouTube) below. They are quite cuddly with the Lutherans. In fact, when Lutheran districts had official and smaller rah-rah gatherings, they were using the same poisons, gladly loosed, between synodical.
Dead and Dying Cults in Order on the YouTube
Robert Schuller:
revved up his Crystal Cathedral, tried everything, and lost his Cathedral, property, and loot. They also sold a lot of fake books about their fake prosperity.
Mars Hill Church, Seattle Church:
15 locations. Confrontational, abusive, disappeared with the money. Artificial book publishing.
Willow Creek, South Barrington, Illinois.
I visited Willow Creek (for their Lutheran sect). I attended one service and enjoyed having Bill Hybels glare at me from his pulpit. Everything blew up for WC. 2018 was the quick collapse.
Elevation Church
Charlotte, North Carolina. Money issues and lack of how it is used or not.
Bethel Church
"Eco system." Raising child from the dead - utterly false.
Hill Song Church
Collapsed at once, enormous in numbers. Sexual abuse, like Willow Creek.
P.S.
Norman Vincent Peale - The Power of Positive Thinking, the book which became very much like Robert Schuller's. In fact, Schuller invited Peale to preach for Peale more than once. Besides that, Peale was known for plagiarism a long time ago.
Purpose Driven Church - Rick Warren -
Bonus! Christina noticed the sign near their church, and we stopped by for a meeting. We went to a very prosperous family meeting and we heard Rick talk.
Since that time, Rick has retired. Like many others, Warren's faded away rapidly.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
June 7, 2026 - First Sunday after Trinity
Click on the YouTube link below for the broadcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6hQoJHVZV0
#262 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Page 15 - Order for Holy Communion
#429 Lord Thee I Love
Sermon - The Rich Man and Lazarus
#342 Chief of Sinners
The Preface for Holy Communion
#658 Onward Christian Soldiers
Friday, June 5, 2026
Concordia Open University - South India -
Honors Norma A. Boeckler for Fine Artist
I marvel about Norma Boeckler's Christian artwork whenever I look for them on the computer. India shared those paintings without hesitation, a good indication of her art and their value.
I highly emphasize the Psalms as our most powerful tool of dealing with Christian spiritual needs. India is the seventh largest country size in the world.
The Psalms' verses are simple in the use of faith, forgiveness, repentance -- and they are divinely effective. Everyone should move around the catalogue of 150 sacred Psalms, finding great examples, especially when everything seems to be lost. ruined, and twisted around.
Especially Great Psalms
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.
+++
Psalm 13 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
+++
Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Roland Bainton, Yale University
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| Roland Bainton was the star of the show. He was delighted to get a photograph of my son's photo! |
Once upon a time, Yale Divinity - and many history students - packed the rooms just to hear Roland Bainton speak. The school wired rooms just to hear him. Much later I found his very large painting in their main eatery. Later, a student in my church catechism class later to me, "You actually met him!?"
The class was impressed that the Lutheran insurance company used Yale's history star, Bainton, in their presentation.
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| Harkness Tower at Yale |
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| A young lady leaned against my diploma on the wall. Her sister said, "I want that!" History matters, |
Curiosity is bound to excite our brains by energy and repetition. It is good to remember that the KJV is the best and most successful, no matter what the others insist. The latest just keeps changing.
Babies love to hear their moms and dads. What better way to unite both parents, cuddle the child, and build a foundation!
Endlessly Portraying the Past
A relative let everyone know that Columbia University was the place for a master's degree in teaching. She earned the degree and let everyone know.
After WWII, Eisenhauer became the university president and glided into that presidency, an odd change.
Meanwhile, Colombia's seminary grew smaller, into the tiny Union Seminary. The shrinking Union got into a fight around faculty and its refusal to agree. A famous theological visitor said, "I am not lecturing there with a big fight going on." Doubtless many got upset, so my source talked about it from one source or another.
People who enjoy history can always find something unusual.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Feast of the Holy Trinity, 2026. 9 AM.
Feast of the Holy Trinity - 2026, 9 AM.
The Video Will Repeat.
From the Concordia Choir
Bethany Lutheran Church
Pastor Gregory Jackson
The Hymn # 476 Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts:
of Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
Psalm. O Lord, our Lord:
how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us, Thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst lump us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who beholdest the deep;
and who dwellest between the cherubim.
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven:
and greatly to be praised forever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers:
and greatly to be praised and glorified forever. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Athanasian Creed p. 53
The Hymn # 246 Holy, Holy, Holy
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Athanasian Creed p. 53
The Hymn # 246 Holy, Holy, Holy
We Praise Thy Name
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 #657 Beautiful Savior - Another Version
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 #657 Beautiful Savior - Another Version
Prayers and Announcements
- Diagnosis and treatment - Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit Way, Lito Cruz; those with emotional and metabolic distress.
- This year - Father's Day will be June 21, 2026.
KJV Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God So Loved the World
KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Two leaders, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43-45), risked their lives in dealing with the convicted person, Jesus.
(Mark 14:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
They were both high in the ranks and therefore the most vulnerable. This episode might be called a prequel, Jesus knowing all about Nicodemus, who was soon to understand genuine faith in the Savior.
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Coming to Jesus in the pitch black night was good proof that Nicodemus was cautious, fearful. A knock on the door would give me goosebumps, but Jesus already knew this. Nicodemus honored Jesus as one of God's teachers and a miracle worker besides. However, he was timid in approaching the Son of God, as many are today. That is really the theme of this passage - being tentative, shy, and anxious.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jesus countered with a black and white statement, a yes or no. Verily twice was emphatic, there is no maybe with seeing/experiencing the Kingdom of God. Testing Jesus is a way of Nicodemus displaying his tentative trust in the Savior. Our lives are filled with that much and more. Fears in our lives and faith in God are a battle, and many fall over onto the side on fears, which is natural. This is a battle between fear and faith.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
The emphasis from Jesus is so strong that Nicodemus, highly educated, falls into absurdity. That shows us how easily someone falls down the fear slide, sometimes to the bottom. What we want is absolute insurance and a few back-ups as well. The dial for us has to move over to certainty to take comfort in what we expect.
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
This is the turning point of the passage. "Never take counsel of your fears," as the saying goes. This is clearly stated in John 16:9 - the Spirit condemns those who do not believe in Jesus. The Spirit (also known as the Word) does not condemn except for not believing in the Savior. It is very convenient to be condemning all the time, when one statement alone condemns those who do not trust the Good Shepherd, which is beautifully described in Luke 15. The lamb is lost and alone, bleating away, and the Savior lifts it up, takes it home, and rejoices with all his friends - he was lost but now is found, -
Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. [Not - How many times have I told you?] 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
This is a real person and he represents all of mankind. This is the point where the Savior emphasizes with great detail.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
There is the option of the Law, which only makes the burden greater. Or - the option of faith, which is an ongoing blessing and enlightening Spirit. We can stink-eye the neighbor or relative, or unleash friendship, help, joy and cheer.
The Gospel of John repeatedly teaches us the Little Gospel - 3:16 - and expresses it in many ways. I had the burden of hearing about the Great Depression because my parents' adult life started with that era. As one comic said, "It must have been Great because they never stopped telling us about it." But the complaint was true, even though we moaned about the stories. The more I grew into adulthood, the more I appreciated the automatic responses of perfectionism, working hard, helping a neighbor, etc.
And also, I realized how much older people knew and responded.
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