Upcoming Presidential Campaign

 "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown."

 - Shakespeare aka Oxford. Henry IV, Part 2.

 When traveling abroad, wear the complete CM Almy costume, including the fish-hat (meter): it is good for virtue-signaling to the Rome faction in the LCMS.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Jubilate Sunday

Link to Luther's Jubilate Sermon

17. Why does God do this and permit his own to be persecuted and hounded? In order to suppress and subdue the free will, so that it may not seek an expedient in their works; but rather become a fool in God's works and learn thereby to trust and depend upon God alone.

I8. Therefore when this now comes to pass, we shall not be able to accommodate ourselves to it, and shall not understand it, unless Christ himself awakens us and makes us cheerful, so that his resurrection becomes effective in us, and all our works fall to pieces and be as nothing. Therefore the text here concludes powerfully, that man is absolutely nothing in his own strength. Here everything is condemned and thrust down that has been and may still be preached about good works; for this is the conclusion; where Christ is not, there is nothing. Ask St. Peter how he was disposed when Christ was not with him. What good works did he do? He denied Christ. He renounced him with an oath. Like good works we do, when we have not Christ with us.

19. Thus all serves to the end that we should accustom ourselves to build alone upon Christ, and to depend upon no other work, upon no other creature, whether in heaven or upon earth. In this name alone are we preserved and blessed, and in none other. Acts 4, 12 and 10, 43. But on this account we must suffer much. The worst of all is, that we must not only suffer shame, persecution and death; but that the world rejoices because of our great loss and misfortunes. This is indeed very hard and bitter. Surely it shall thus come to pass, for the world will rejoice when it goes ill with us; but this comfort we have that their joy shall not last long, and our sorrow shall be turned into eternal joy. Of this the Lord gives us a beautiful parable of the woman in travail, when he says:

"A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come, but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish for joy that a man is born into the world."

How the Pieces Fit Together - God Only Knows

Our own nutrition matches the wealth or poverty of the soil. Uncle Jim sent some earthworms, creatures (that is - created) that improve the soil.

When someone asks in a caustic tone, "Why do you have so have so many leaves left on your garden?" - I answer, "Why do I have so many roses?"

The soil must be tended or it becomes relatively useless, though weeds and roots will improve it over time. Earthworms are called shredders because they grind up organic matter - like dead leaves - and mix in their own calcium and nitrogen, usable forms and not harsh for our plants or noses. Earthworms also soften and stir the soil, creating channels for rain to penetrate deeper toward the roots. Meanwhile, the roots themselves provide soil loosening and organic matter. If earthworms had titles of nobility, Sir Mix -A-Lot would be an easy fit.

Our bodies are complicated dioramas of the garden. For the strangest reasons, we think that  our bodily combination of chemical and muscular engines, labs, computers, exhausts, and dynamos will work fine without good energy sources. The  individual parts, created and engineered (John 1:3) to work well together, do not suffer Fritos and Quarter Pounders gladly. 

Dr. Joel Fuhrman convinced me that greens, vegetables, nuts, and seeds were medicine. Imagine! I thought they were for eating (rarely), not for healing. However, when I switched to ordinary, inexpensive, fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits, a lot of my symptoms went away like magic. Blood sugar - back to normal. Blood pressure - reduced. Headaches - gone. Muscle aches - gone. Bad cholesterol - eliminated by walnuts. Weight down and energy up.

The pharmacy tech gave me an eye drops prescription and tried to interest me in various injections. She was impressed that I had only one prescription. I said, "That is why I am healthy - only one prescription." She caught onto that but pressed for injections. I said, "Don't worry, I have had every shot except distemper." She said, "Distemper?" And people trust her! I told her, "For dogs."

Blueberries are good for circulation, so I got some Puritans Pride pills that contained blueberry extract. Then I thought, "Fresh blueberries have to be better and more effective. They are low sugar, taste great, and cost very little." I used to give blueberries to the birds because I kept letting the berries get old. Now the birds have to rely on corn and fruit scraps.

Back to the Garden

The Creation Rose Garden is a microcosm of our own bodies. Anyone can start one with a small patch growing into a small paradise. The Schwan delivery lady said, "I love your garden, with everything mixed together." 

I let everything grow together, digging up or cutting away the excess, such as roses gone wild, obnoxious weeds, and dead plants. I also let wood rot into the soil, either with tree stumps or wood mulch.

When company gathers to enjoy the garden, shaded in the afternoon, bee balm is growing just off the modest patio, enhanced by hummingbird feeders and roses. Bees and birds will fly within inches to amuse reward us. Rabbits will stop by for a cameo and go deeper into the foliage. 

All the pieces fit together.

Go team!

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Ye Shall Be Sorrowful, But Your Sorrow Shall Be Turned into Joy.

 

Link to Luther's Jubilate Sermon

B. This Sermon Of Comfort Explained.

15. All this is presented to us in our Gospel, but since the disciples could not understand what he meant in that he said "A little while" and he noticed that they were desirous to ask him, he continues and explains it to them in these simple words and says,

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."

16. This is spoken to all Christians, for every Christian must have temptations, trials, anxieties, adversities, sorrows, come what may. Therefore he mentions here no sorrow nor trial, he simply says they shall weep, lament, and be sorrowful, for the Christian has many persecutions. Some are suffering loss of goods; others there are whose character is suffering ignominy and scorn; some are drowned, others are burned; some are beheaded; one perishes in this manner, and another in that; it is therefore the lot of the Christian constantly to suffer misfortune, persecution, trials and adversity. This is the rod or fox tail with which they are punished. They dare not look for anything better as long as they are here. This is the court color by which the Christian is recognized, and if anyone wants to be a Christian, he dare not be ashamed of his court color or livery.

17. Why does God do this and permit his own to be persecuted and hounded? In order to suppress and subdue the free will, so that it may not seek an expedient in their works; but rather become a fool in God's works and learn thereby to trust and depend upon God alone.

A Strange New World Emerges as the Nominal Lutheran Clergy Disappear and Move Toward Rome

 There are times when a visit to C. M. Almy's might be a better choice than Goodwill.

When I started this blog, I posted that mass bells were busting up that old gang of mine: Neuhaus, Wilken, Salzman, Pelikan. 

ALPB published that requests for new graduates as pastors were double the supply.

ALPB Online Discussion Board - "The Ovaltines"

Joined Roman Catholic Church 

 1. Richard J. Neuhaus (1990) LCMS, Seminex, ELCA, close friend of Wilken, LCMS, below. 

2. Robert L. Wilken (1994)..Professor at University of Virginia 

3. Leonard Klein (2003) 

4. Phillip M. Johnson (2006) 

5. Bruce Marshall..Professor at St. Olaf 

6. David Fagerberg..Professor at Concordia College, Moorhead 

7. Richard Hutter..Professor at Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago 

8. Mickey Mattox..Professor at Marquette University 

9. Michael Root (2010)..Professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, ELCA 

10 Russell Saltzman (2016) 

 Joined Orthodox Church 

1. Jaroslav Pelikan (1998).. Professor at Yale University, LCMS trained, later ELCA 

2. Jay Rochelle..Professor at Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. Even the LSTC organ went Catholic! 

3. David Smith 

4. J. Thomas Shelley (2015) 

5. John Fenton - editor, LCMS Lutheran Service Book

God's Creation Garden

 

 Empress Hosta - too big?

I had a surprise when I looked over the newly trimmed Rose Garden. I saw a trio of blue hosta plants, young and growing well. They looked just like the ones I transplanted to the green fence area, where I have shade and sunlight. Like several other hostas, these three left enough root stock to start over, even though I imagined  I dug up the entire plant.

Another surprise was seeing a hosta plantation in the green fence area, along the chain-link fence, etc. We had a real drought last fall, but these came back like steroid test samples. It was a combination of transplanting and watering.

 Blue Elegens is popular.

Hostas are fascinating with so many different styles, colors, and leaf textures. King Charles III and I are quite fond of them for use in semi-shade, but even more for their hummingbird attracting flowers. Mr. Gardener got me started on hostas for hummers, so I have increased the population of both.

Many efforts to grow new hostas have failed, thanks to rabbits and other creatures, but enough plant remains to coax the remnants into mature examples.

Never Ignore a Dog at a Hardware Store

I was at Lowe's garden center to browse when I spotted a small grey terrier sitting on his pillow in a cart. He showed a great interest in me, stood up on his pillow and leaned toward me. I stretched out my right hand knuckles since they serve as a reliable safety test with nippy dogs. He began licking off each knuckle, as if I had recently kneaded bread dough at home. When that was done - very thoroughly - I began to lower my arm. No! He reached out and with his paw gently pulled my arm back for another round of affection. I was impressed that he used his claws so gently.

So many delightful things happen all the time. 

Lady, perhaps a Doberman and Chihauhau mix, came over to visit with Ranger Bob. I call Lady a Dobie-wa-wa since she has acute guard dog habits and a small, energetic frame, bulging big eyes. Next door the Great Pyranee, always looking for attention, ached for a race along the fence. I had to start them going, but once they got in gear, they were racing in big circles along the fence and around the yard.

Clethra, the Cinnabon bush, is leafing out. One failed in the front yard, but several others are growing, along with the original. Also called Sweet Spice, Summersweet, and Poor Man's Soap.

Daily Lutheran Sermon Quote - Jubilate Sunday - "A Little While"

 

Link to Luther's Jubilate Sermon

7. The first "a little while" in that he says, "A little while, and ye shall behold me no more," they could soon afterwards understand, when they saw that he was taken prisoner and put to death, but the second "a little while" in that he says: "And again a little while, and ye shall see me," that they could not understand, and we also cannot understand it. Yea and when he says: "Because I go to the Father," that they understand still less. Thus it also goes with us: although we know and hear that trials, misfortune and sorrow endure but a little while, yet we see that it constantly appears different than we believe. Then we despair and waver, and cannot be reconciled to it. We hear and we know very well that it shall not last very long, but how that result shall be accomplished we can never understand, as the disciples here cannot understand it.

8. But since they are unable to understand it why does Christ relate it to them or why is it written? In order that we should not despair but hold fast to the Word, assured that it is indeed thus and not otherwise, even though it seems to be different. And although we do at times depart from the Word, we should not therefore remain altogether away from it, but return again, for he makes good his Word. Even though man cannot believe it, God will nevertheless help him to believe it, and this he does without man's reason or free will and without man adding anything thereto. Yea, the Evangelist tells us that the disciples could not understand the words the Lord spake to them; how much less could they understand his works which followed afterwards. So very little does the free will and understanding of man know of the things pertaining to the salvation of the soul. These temporal things the free will can perceive and know, such as the cock crowing, which he can hear and his reason can also understand it; but when it is a question of understanding the work and Word of God, then human reason must give it up; it cannot make head or tail of it, although it pretends to understand a great deal about it. The glory thereof is too bright, the longer he beholds it the blinder he becomes.

Gottesdienst Typo - Tailor Made

 

David Kenilworth 4 years ago · 0 Likes

  

May Otten burn in hell for the discord that he sewed in the church for decades.

Question from Pastor Name Withheld - "Does the New, 15% Luther's Large Catechism Teach Objective (Faithless) Justification?"

 

Installation of Andrew Preus, Trinity, New Haven, Missouri, 2021. Sam Nafzger is on the far left, back row. Walter Otten is almost on the far right, back row. Andrew is flanked by his brother and his father Rolf, front row. Herman Otten died in 2019, closely tied with the Robert Preus clan but not with the Jack Preus side.

The Scriptures, Luther, and the Book of Concord teach Justification by Faith, the Chief Article of Christianity, but the LCMS and Sam Nafzger do not.

As Nafzger (Harvard PhD) must know, CFW Walther learned Objective (Faithless) Justification from his Pietistic Bishop, Martin Stephan. Walther never deviated from that dogma, lovingly repeated and quoted by the ELS below -

Walther's "make a decision for world absolution" was taken from his syphilitic bishop via Halle University Pietism, a misinterpretation of 1 Timothy 3:16.

Luther's Large Catechism, 2022 (sic) includes an essay from Sam Nafzger, which begins with the typical distorted Objective (Faithless) Justification:

Running through the writings of the sixteenth-century Lutheran confessors is a constant theme: God declares sinners right with Him by His grace alone (sola gratia) through faith alone (sola fide), p. 395.

This is clever double-talk, because LCMS, WELS, ELS, and CLC (sic) are delighted by their OJ agreement. They use ambiguity to cloak their agenda. The OJists love the Walther approach, so they soften the stupidity so the sheep may be slaughtered and scattered.

As WELSians like to say, "The Nafzger quotation ca-a-a-a-a-an be taken the right way."

It only takes a page turn to see Wiley E. Nafzger spring the trap -

After years of struggling with this problem, Luther finally was led to see through his study of Holy Scripture that God's justification of sinners is not a process but rather His declaration that the sins of the world have been forgiven on account of Jesus' substitutionary death on the cross, p. 396.

Nafzger is perfect ELCA, perfect Rambach, perfect Halle Pietism, perfect Stephan - but not Scriptural, not Book of Concord.

Rolf Preus used to declare "raised for our justification" by itself until I repeated Romans 4:24 with 4:25...many times. He seems to have stopped mentioning Justification and Rome too.

Nafzger's problem comes from merging the Atonement of Christ with Justification by Faith, the result of trying to merge Justification by Faith with Calvinism and Pietism, ignoring the Means of Grace and the efficacy of the Word.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote, Jubilate Sunday

 

The background is roses, but the foreground is a photo of some of the damage from the 2011 Joplin tornado and storm, which howled and thundered all night, 50 miles away from us in Bella Vista.

Link to Complete Luther Sermon for Jubilate Sunday

4. "A little while," he says, "and ye behold me no more," for I shall be taken prisoner and they shall deliver me to death. But it will not last long, and during this short time ye shall be sorrowful, but only remain steadfast in me and follow me. It will soon have an end. Three days I will be in the grave; then the world will rejoice as though it had gained a victory, but ye shall be sorrowful and shall weep and lament. "And again a little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father." That is, on the third day I will rise again; then ye shall rejoice and your joy no man shall take from you, and this will not be a joy of only three days, like the joy of the world, but an eternal joy. Thus the Evangelist John most beautifully expresses the death and resurrection of Christ in these words, when Christ says, "A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father."

5. An example is here given us, which we should diligently lay hold of and take to heart; if it went with us as it did in the time of the apostles, that we should be in suffering, anxiety and distress, we should also remember to be strong and to rejoice because Christ will arise again. We know that this has come to pass; but the disciples did not know how he should be raised, or what he meant by the resurrection, hence they were so sorrowful and so sad. They heard indeed that they should see him, but they did not understand what it was or how it should come to pass. Therefore they said among themselves, "What is this that he saith to us, A little while? We know not what he saith." To such an extent had sadness and sorrow overcome them, that they quite despaired, and knew not what these words meant and how they would see him again.

6. Therefore we must also feel within us this "a little while" as the dear disciples felt it, for this is written for our example and instruction, so that we may thereby be comforted and be made better. And we should use this as a familiar adage among ourselves; yea, we should feel and experience it, so that we might at all times say, God is at times near and at times he has vanished out of sight. At times I remember how the Word seems neither to move me nor to apply to me. It passes by; I give no heed to it. But to this "a little while" we must give heed and pay attention, so that we may remain strong and steadfast. We will experience the same as the disciples. We cannot do otherwise than is written here; even as the disciples were not able to do otherwise.

Eureka - I Have Found the Rosetta Stone of the Bad-Bible-Boosters!This Explains Everything

Right on schedule!

I ran into some books about the Greek text of the New Testament, expecting a conservative, perhaps very conservative pair of authors to compare and contrast the KJV and other translations.

Instead I found a book as antagonistic to basic facts as scholarly works from the National Council of Marxist Churches - home of the RSV, NRSV, and ESV. The book's authors could not stop writing their slogan - KJV-Only - supposedly a sign of their sophistication and broad education.

The Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone of translations - solved!

Every since WWII was over, people have been printing Bibles faster than greenback$, with similar results, reducing the value therefor. People get wrapped up in comparisons, localities, editors, and styles of translating.

I am writing to inform you that the translations do not matter at all. The secret is the Greek text alone. A gaggle of text critics, with solid backing from the Vatican, adopted Codex Vatican and Codex Sinaiticus as the linch-pins of the "revised" King James Bible.

The KJV Revision apostates of England and America worked together with the secretly printed Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament. They radicals brought out the still-born English dud in 1881, and no one wanted it. Warehouses were full of the copies because it was so badly done and impossible to fix.

Almost 150 years later, the collaboration on the Greek text has established the "real" New Testament. That continues to draw mild rebukes, but nothing more. Denominations are content to sell all kinds of translations (even the KJV) while proclaiming freedom, creativity, and the ever "now."

The vast population of seminary graduates, mostly numbskulls, poorly educated and yet haughty about their vast studies. The mainline seminary graduates are probably 90% incapable of reading the Gospel of John in Greek and translating it. That is child's play compared to comparing texts, theories, and authorities.

Riddle me this - "What keeps clever scholars from forging documents the way the 19th century scribe did to create the codex called Sinaiticus, designated Aleph to make it sound so ancient?" 

Nor should we ignore the venality of Rome, with fraudulent discoveries to establish Rome-centric dogma and corruption.

The KJV Revision was intended to be a very modest edition, Greek and English, but the blasphemers kidnapped the project, a failure that emerged anew as the Greek text behind all future New Testaments.

The heroes are:

1. Constantin Tischendorf
2. Westcott and Hort
3. Eberhard Nestle
4. Kurt and Barbara Aland
5. Bruce Metzger
6. Many more, nodding in agreement.

TLH Hymn - To Thy Temple I Repair

 

Tune - Gott sei Dank - linked here

"To Thy Temple I Repair"
by James Montgomery, 1771-1854

1. To Thy temple I repair;
Lord, I love to worship there
When within the veil I meet
Christ before the mercy-seat.

2. I through Him am reconciled,
I through Him become Thy child.
Abba, Father, give me grace
In Thy courts to seek Thy face.

3. While Thy glorious praise is sung,
Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,
That my joyful soul may bless
Christ the Lord, my Righteousness.

4. While the prayers of saints ascend,
God of Love, to mine attend.
Hear me, for Thy Spirit pleads;
Hear, for Jesus intercedes.

5. While I hearken to Thy Law,
Fill my soul with humble awe
Till Thy Gospel bring to me
Life and immortality.

6. While Thy ministers proclaim
Peace and pardon in Thy name,
Through their voice, by faith, may I
Hear Thee speaking from the sky.

7. From Thy house when I return,
May my heart within me burn
And at evening let me say,
"I have walked with God today."

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #2
Text: Hebrews 9:14
Author: James Montgomery, 1812
Tune: "Gott sei Dank"
1st Published in: Neues geistreiches Gesangbuch_
Town: Halle, 1704

TLH - Holy Spirit, Hear Us

"Holy Spirit, Hear Us"
by Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848
Translated by Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838-1898

Tune - Wem in Leidenstagen - linked here

1. Holy Spirit, hear us
On this sacred day;
Come to us with blessing,
Come with us to stay.

2. Come as once Thou camest
To the faithful few
Patiently awaiting
Jesus' promise true.

3. Up to heaven ascending,
Our dear Lord has gone;
Yet His little children
Leaves He not alone.

4. To His blessed promise
Now in faith we cling.
Comforter, most holy,
Spread o'er us Thy wing.

5. Lighten Thou our darkness,
Be Thyself our Light;
Strengthen Thou our weakness,
Spirit of all might.

6. Spirit of Adoption,
Make us overflow
With Thy sevenfold blessing
And in grace to grow.

7. Into Christ baptized
Grant that we may be
Day and night, dear Spirit,
Perfected by Thee!


The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #229
Text: I Corinthians 12:7-9
Author: Joseph Mohr, 1816
Translated by: Claudia F. Hernaman, 1898
Composer: Friedrich Filitz, 1847
Tune: "Wem in Leidenstagen"

Luther Hymn TLH - May God Bestow on Us His Blessing

 

Tune - Es woll' uns Gott genadig sein - linked here

"May God Bestow on Us His Grace"
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. May God bestow on us His grace,
With blessings rich provide us,
And may the brightness of His face
To life eternal guide us
That we His saving health may know,
His gracious will and pleasure,
And also to the heathen show
Christ's riches without measure
And unto God convert them.

2. Thine over all shall be the praise
And thanks of every nation,
And all the world with joy shall raise
The voice of exultation;
For Thou shalt judge the earth, O Lord,
Nor suffer sin to flourish;
Thy people's pasture is Thy Word
Their souls to feed and nourish,
In righteous paths to keep them.

3. Oh, let the people praise Thy worth,
In all good works increasing;
The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,
Thy Word is rich in blessing.
May God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit bless us!
Let all theworld praise Him alone,
Let solemn awe possess us.

Hymn 500
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 67
Author: Martin Luther, 1524
Translated by: Richard Massie, 1851, alt.
Titled: "Es woll' uns Gott genadig sein"
Tune: "Es woll' uns Gott genadig sein"
1st Published in: Deutsch Kirchenamt
Town: Strassburg, 1525

TLH Hymn - Holy Spirit, Hear Us - #229

"Holy Spirit, Hear Us"
by Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848
Translated by Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838-1898

Tune - Wem in Leidenstagen - linked here

1. Holy Spirit, hear us
On this sacred day;
Come to us with blessing,
Come with us to stay.

2. Come as once Thou camest
To the faithful few
Patiently awaiting
Jesus' promise true.

3. Up to heaven ascending,
Our dear Lord has gone;
Yet His little children
Leaves He not alone.

4. To His blessed promise
Now in faith we cling.
Comforter, most holy,
Spread o'er us Thy wing.

5. Lighten Thou our darkness,
Be Thyself our Light;
Strengthen Thou our weakness,
Spirit of all might.

6. Spirit of Adoption,
Make us overflow
With Thy sevenfold blessing
And in grace to grow.

7. Into Christ baptized
Grant that we may be
Day and night, dear Spirit,
Perfected by Thee!


The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #229
Text: I Corinthians 12:7-9
Author: Joseph Mohr, 1816
Translated by: Claudia F. Hernaman, 1898
Composer: Friedrich Filitz, 1847
Tune: "Wem in Leidenstagen"

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Jubilate Sunday

 

 Norma A. Boeckler, The Burial of Jesus

Link to Complete Luther Sermon for Jubilate Sunday

I. What Moved Christ to Deliver This Sermon of Comfort

1. Here in this Gospel we see how the Lord comforts and imparts courage to his children whom he is about to leave behind him, when they would come in fear and distress on account of his death or of their backsliding. We also notice what induced the evangelist John to use so many words that he indeed repeats one expression four times, which according to our thinking he might have expressed in fewer words. There is first of all presented to us here the nature of the true Christian in the example of the dear apostles. In the second place, how the suffering and the resurrection of Christ are to become effective in us.

2. We also see that Christ announces to his disciples, how sorrowful they should be because he would leave them, but they are still so simpleminded and ignorant, and also so sorrowful on account of his recent conversation at the Last Supper, that they did not understand at all what he said unto them; yea, the nature of that which Christ presents to them is too great and incomprehensible for them. And it was also necessary that they should first become sorrowful before they could rejoice, even as Christ himself was an example to us that without the cross we could not enter into glory. Hence he says in Luke 24, 26 to the two, with whom he journeyed to Emmaus: "Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?" If therefore the dear disciples were to have joy, they must first of all pass through great sorrow. But this joy came to them through the Lord Jesus; for it is decreed in the Gospel, that without Christ there is no joy; and on the other hand, where Christ is, there is no sorrow, as is plainly stated in the text. Hence when Christ was taken from them, they were in great sorrow.

 Norma A. Boeckler, The Empty Tomb