Cleland Boyd McAfee - Study of the King James Bible

 I ordered 8 of these, free shipping. I will send them to you (no cost, no shipping) due to a gift given for that purpose.

I thought a few people would like this book, which just arrived. I began reading it today and - WOW! - this is a well known classic, a brilliant discussion of the religious impact of the KJV, especially in literature.

Cleland Boyd McAfee was a Presbyterian, so WELS should devour this book. He wrote it for the 1912, 300th anniversary of the KJV. A century later, the job was given to idiots, braggarts, and court fools - because they wanted to sell their ESVs, RSVs, and NIVs - for some extra cash.

+++

 Bethany was about 1 year when we propped her up against the couch so she could sit. She could smile, giggle, and laugh. Her eyes were not supposed to work but she had perfect vision and following. They were her main tools. 

I was thinking today - as I arranged some favorite photos - that life would be meaningless without the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is why the arts are so obsessed with the meaninglessness of life and the need to use expletives for everything, even the titles of articles in tony magazines. They are fighting against the nihilism of their own vacant minds. 

Smile for the camera? Always. Bethany captured everyone's attention with her natural curls and her eyes looking for faces to light up with grins. Who was the perfect mother for Beth and Erin? Christina.

America's nostalgia movies and books are shockingly gross, as if we are little more than beasts foraging for some food, but less choosy in mates. God drops special children into our lives, and we get to see the miniature miracles of being different in many ways, such as being short-changed in one area and astonishing in another. There are two responses - one is to look away and pretend the non-compliant child does not exist. The other response is to enjoy the rare and beautiful nature of a child watched over by special angels, an extra battalion or so, and loved by a motley crew of fans. "I had 10 children and your child taught me the meaning of love."

 Erin Joy lacked the curls, the perfect teeth, and the radar eyes, but she lived her middle name and filled her world with laughter - hers and the audience.

Hymn - He that Believes and is Baptized

"He that Believes and is Baptized"
by Thomas Kingo, 1634-1703
Translated by George A.T. Rygh, 1860-1942

Tune - Es ist das Heil - linked here

1. He that believes and is baptized
Shall see the Lord's salvation;
Baptized into the death of Christ,
He is a new creation.
Through Christ's redemption he shall stand
Among the glorious heavenly band
Of every tribe and nation.

2. With one accord, O God, we pray:
Grant us Thy Holy Spirit;
Look Thou on our infirmity
Through Jesus' blood and merit.
Grant us to grow in grace each day
That by this Sacrament we may
Eternal life inherit.

Hymn #301
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Mark 16:16
Author: Thomas Kingo, 1689
Translated by: George A.T. Rygh, 1909
Titled: "Enhver som tror og bliver doebt"
Tune: "Es ist das Heil"
Melody: German, c. 1400

Hymn - Hark! the Voice of Jesus Crying

"Hark! the Voice of Jesus Crying" by Daniel March, 1816-1909 (Stanzas 1, 2, 4)

Tune - Galilean - linked here

1. Hark! the voice of Jesus crying,
"Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheave away?"
Loud and long the Master calleth,
Rich reward He offers thee;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
"Here am I, send me, send me"?

2. If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked
With the Judgement's dread alarms,
You can lead the little children
To the Savior's waiting arms.

3 If you cannot be a watchman,
Standing high on Zion's wall,
Pointing out the path to heaven,
Offering life and peace to all,
With your prayers and with your bounties
You can do what God demands;
You can be like faithful Aaron,
Holding up the prophet's hands.

4. Let none hear you idly saying,
"There is nothing I can do,"
While the souls of men are dying
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth,
"Here am I, send me, send me!"

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #496
Text: Isaiah 6:8
Author: Daniel March, 1868, stanzas 1, 2, 4
Author: unknown, stanza 3
Composer: Joseph Barnby, 1883
Tune: "Galilean"

Hymn - Great God, What Do I See and Hear?

"Great God, What do I See and Hear?"
by William B. Collyer, 1782-1854; stanzas 2-4
author unknown, stanza 1

Tune - Es ist gewisslich - linked here

1. Great God, what do I see and hear?
The end of things created;
The Judge of mankind doth appear
On clouds of glory seated.
The trumpet sounds; the graves restore
The dead which they contained before:
Prepare, my soul, to meet Him.

2. The dead in Christ shall first arise
At that last trumpet's sounding,
Caught up to meet Him in the skies,
With joy their Lord surrounding.
No gloomy fears their souls dismay;
His presence sheds eternal day
On those prepared to meet Him.

3. But sinners, filled with guilty fears,
Behold His wrath prevailing,
For they shall rise and find their tears
And sighs are unavailing;
The day of grace is past and gone;
They trembling stand before his throne,
All unprepared to meet Him.

4. O Christ, who diedst and yet dost live,
To me impart Thy merit;
My pardon seal, my sins forgive,
And cleanse me by Thy Spirit.
Beneath Thy cross I view the day
When heav'n and earth shall pass away,
And thus prepare to meet Thee.

Hymn #604
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
Author: unknown, 1802; stanza 1
Autho: William B. Collyer, 1812, alt.; stanzas 2-4
Tune: "Es ist gewisslich"
Published in: Geistliche Lieder
Town: Wittenberg, 1535

Hymn - Gerhardt - All Ye Who on This Earth Do Dwell

"All Ye Who on This Earth do Dwell"
by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

Tune - Nun danket all' und bringet Ehr - linked here

1. All ye who on this earth do dwell,
Give thanks and glorify
The Lord whose praises ever swell
In seraph songs on high.

2. Lift up your hearts in praise to God,
Himself best Gift of all,
Who works His wonders all abroad,
Upholding great and small.

3. Since first our life began to be,
He has preserved our frame;
And when man's strength was vanity,
He as our Helper came.

4. Though often we His patience try
And well deserve His frown,
In grace He lays His anger by
And pours new blessings down.

5. 'Tis He revives our fainting soul,
Gives joyful hearts to men;
And when great waves of trouble roll,
He drives them back again.

6. May He adorn with precious peace
Our own, our native, land
And crown with joys that never cease
The labors of our hand.

7. Long as we tarry here below
Our saving Health is He;
And when from earth to heaven we go,
May He our portion be!

Hymn #581
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ecclus. 50: 22-24
Author: Paul Gerhardt
Translated by: Alfred Ramsey, 1926, alt.
Tune: "Nun danket all' und bringet Ehr'"
Composer: Johann Crueger, 1653
Tune: "Nun danket all'"

The Genius of Nutrition Pills and Food Fads

 

 Cat introduces kitten to the staff, "Dis is my hooman."

I have heard about many kinds of essential nutrition pills to take. I am all for the multi-vitamin, which is like betting that someone will win the World Series - cannot lose there.

However, the big winner and specific magical pill leads me to wonder - "Shouldn't I be eating this rather than swallowing it?" 

The pill industry makes me think that we are buying expensive overdoses of a single item rather than enjoying their natural state in delicious, low-cost food.

You read it here first - healthy nutrition-rich weight-loss food is more delicious than restaurant and home-made feasts. The reason is that wise eating sets us up for a special meal rather than craving something and feeling stuffed afterwards.

For example, yesterday's lunch was a huge bowl of fresh spinach, which I love, with milled flaxseed (tasty), walnuts (a favorite), and blueberries. Like a bean meal, this satisfies my hunger while not leaving me stuffed and filled with self-loathing and easily broken vows of "Never again!"

 "Officer, we were not speeding. However, there is a sale at Pets-R-Us."