Flashback New Year 06/07

Wednesday, January 03, 2007
woof
ok. so i'm back at work, but I'm not teaching. it's confusing, I know. I am off-track so I don't teach until March. I have picked up extra work. I scan documents and compile resources, lesson plans, work sheets that other English teachers can use.

Yeah, snooze. I know. It's super flex though. Reminds me of the Hollywood Athletic Club days.

I'm going to watch Rocky Balboa at Highland Theater and drink wine and eat Italian food at Fallerio's tonight for those interested.

I'm applying to another seminary, Concordia St. Louis. There is much to do and it makes me nervous.

Ugh, coming back to work after vacation gets me grumpy.
Posted by dmh at 10:47 AM

Flashback New Year 05/06

Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy 2006. For you! I will now make resolutions:
-Fart.
-eat steak.
-cut someone.
-do not eat Punjabi.
-avoid permanant markers.
-practice dice throwing.
-research California Raisins/campaign for induction into Rock n Roll HOF
-meet Twista
-invent new language
Posted by dmh at 7:26 PM

Flash back 04/05

Friday, December 31, 2004

It was almost 60 degrees today. As you may remember, I went skiing less than a week ago and was going to go ice fishing. Two days ago there was a half a foot of snow on the ground (yesterday I hit my mom with a snowball and she yelled at me), but today I went for a long walk and played catch with my dad.

...Such weird weather. It's like gnomes are controlling it or something....

This whole thing reminds me of my last trip to Darkest Asia with Buddy Dynamo. We had just left "87 Eddie's Rum Emporium Inc." Buddy was supremely inebriated on virgin Tibetian goat's blood and I had just snorted about 2 gallons of licorce-flavored turpentine when Buddy says, "Hey, Dupre--"
That's what they called me in those days "Dupre Infinity."
So Buddy says, "Hey, Dupre, what the hell did that Baroquian son of llama's nephew say to us?!"
Well, Buddy had called Eddie a So-and-so of the nth degree. The pot needed no further stirring, so I tried to divert his anger.
"Nothing, he said nothing, my fine feathered friend," I said.
"You lying sack of Mamet! I know beyond a shadow of a hammock that I had my intelligence, my purity, and my...something else insulted," Dynamo raved.
I motioned for Buddy to have a lean against a cockroach vendor's cart. It was no use. I must tell him.
"Mr. Dynamo, you are missing the point. The point is not that you were insulted, but that the moment of insulation occured during the emotional climax of the Aerosmith opus 'Dream on,'"I said.
Dynamo hugged me.
"There has never been a truer statement proclaimed in audible sound waves, O Sage of Sages," uttered The Dynamo.
"I know," said me.
"Then what ever shall we do to rectify this blasphamous tragedy which has never equalled even by The Bard himself?!" stated Dynamo.
To make a long story short, we ended up aquiring a battalion's weight in marshiano cherries dipped in 12-year old asbestos. I woke up the next day alone in an abandoned KFC knee deep in Minnie Mouse stationary. I haven't seen Dynamo since.
Posted by dmh at 6:17 PM

--

Monday, January 03, 2005
dmh realizations upon the new year (as gleaned from recent emails)

Target areas for the next 5 years, in order of priority: screenwriter, film director, comedic guitar player, author, sketch comedy performer, TV writer (late night, sitcom), actor.
I will do practical things to achieve each.
In order to succeed, everything I do must direct me toward these goals.
-
I really want to retain my optimism. At times I can be...cynical...When you buy into that, it all goes downhill.
I gave up when I became a sportswriter and moved to the desert. I didn't really want to be a sportswriter. I want to be an entertainer. I need to at least try. Geez, talk about lame. I'm 50 years old sitting on my porch "Yeah, I didn't try. I didn't think I'd succeed."
Yeah, no crap. I'm destined to fail if I think I'm going to. But screw that, God is the only one that's going to stop me.
Posted by dmh at 1:40 AM

Flashback 03/04

I thought it would be amusing(?) to post some of my new years reflections from years past to wrap up the 00's properly.

First up 2003/4

Tuesday, December 09, 2003
I'm going to Baja soon. Awesome! Billy, Dan, Keith and I are going down the 19th-24th. That's the plan for now. Merry Baja Christmas. Fish tacos, here we come! I love it down there. Time for relaxation.
Posted by dmh at 3:40 PM

Wednesday, January 07, 2004
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE...?

...I recently finished a screenplay with my good friend Jesse Gloyd. It's 93 pages, not a small feat, my friend...

...The script is called "Of Mascots and Men," Though that will probably be changed. I'll elaborate more on the script once we get it registered with the Screenwriters' Guild. Word...

...Things are lining up for this next year. Next writing project will be for an independant piece that Trevor will direct up in Seattle. We want to make our way ourselves. None of us feel up for grad school. Anyway, the consensus seems to be that if you take your money and invest it in a indie film rather than grad school, it goes to better use....

...Met with the i.tv people again. Trevor had an interview. They seem to like me, I'm just waiting to see what comes of it. They way they talk. it's hard not to have delusions of grandeur.

I must say that this has been one of the best end of the year that I've ever had. Got a car, a job, an apartment. Trevor came down from Seattle and we hung out. Drew got married. I went to 4 parties at the end/begining of the year. Halfway House Affirmation Night (Tradition among my group of friends where we hike up Tarantula Hill with some Bud and affirm one another), New Year's Eve, Drew's last night in the Bayou (House in Whittier) Party, and Drew's wedding reception. All these parties were stellar, top-notch.
Posted by dmh at 6:51 PM

Song: THE CHRISTMAS MASSACRE OF CHARLIE BROWN

My favorite Christmas song this year.


By DJ John

I pity the santa

O Little Town: Video

Song/Quote:Christmas

I like this song and I like this quote. The song is from Cowboy Copas, a guy killed in a plane crash with Patsy Cline. The quote is from CFW Walther an old Lutheran guy from the 1800's. They both put Christmas in the right perspective.

What happened in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of that eternal decree of the heavenly Father. As soon as His Son become man, the unbearable burden of all humanity's sin was laid upon Him. And so, as Christ, God's sacrificial lamb for the sins of the whole world, lay in a hard crib in a dark stable, the eyes of God looked into the future to see His Son already dying on the cross. Therefore, this atonement for sins, by which God's offended holiness and righteousness were satisfied and men were reconciled to Him, was already as good as accomplished.

VIDEO: The Prodigal

This is from the dusty old files, but here is a song I made and the sweet music video I made for it.

Video: An oldie but a goodie

The Advent Song

VIDEO: little dmh in Cambridge

Doomsday: SongFreeWrite

"Doomsday" - Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Oh, it’s like Herb Albert and the Tijuana brass band! Horns. If horns were a currency, this intro would be one rich fool.
Where is my sombrero? I need a fiesta and a siesta. Simultaneously. RIGHT NOW!

YIP! more yips please. me gusta mucho.

Drums! Hello!
Bass, hello!
Hi again, Trumpet. Nice to hear you again.

I am tapping my foot in glee and joyous joy.

Oh, bummer, a whiney white dude voice.
Its ok. I’m white too I think.

This song is like a friendly giant hopping. Like if the giant from Jack and the beanstalk was friendly and not a murdering fellow. If he was nice, he would be this song. Also if he liked to hop.

No, dude, I do not let doomsay bother me!

Tambourines are fun. I would like to put a tambourine around the neck of a chicken and let it run around. Then, I would give a fox a drum and set it loose in the chicken coop. Then I would draw a picture of a monster and bring it to life though magic and hope it wouldn't eat me. Then I would give it a guitar of course. Then I would go on Conan with my band. And would rule.

This song would be good with a Dos Equis and lime.
Then a Pacifico then salsa and chips
Then the beach and a hammock.
Then a piñata.
Then carne asada
Then carnitas.
Then more fiestas.

Hooray, another yip!

Oh, cool. More people are in the song. And they are FIESTA-ING!
I want to be in this song now. They sound like they are having a la la la happy time with their cervezas!

Where the Wild Things Are: Musings

Where the Wild Things Are was finally released in the UK Friday. I guess it evens out because we got to see The Fantastic Mr. Fox earlier than America.

[[[Spoiler alert.]]] I guess, if you haven't read the book.

Going into the film, I thought that it would be difficult for it to live up to the joyous Arcade Fire-driven trailer. And it happens that the song "Wake up" was not in the film. Sad.

The film was a wild rumpus. I could relate to Max. I built a snow fort from a big pile of snow left by a plow. I didn't have it crash on my head. But the snow-on-face crying happened once or twice at the end of a nasty sled run before.

Also, like Max, I liked to built forts in my room out of blankets. In college, I slept in a tent in my bedroom. I also like to run around and scream and shout and make animal noises and hit things. So, all in all, Max and I are kindred spirits.

The monsters, by Jim Henson's workshop, looked cool (see fact at end). They were depressing though. I guess because they seemed quite like normal people. Their interactions with each other were not fairy tale-esque. That's what I liked and disliked at the same time. They were at times depressing monsters. But we are at times depressing people I suppose.

I would like to wear a crown and a fox costume. That would be fun. I think that will be a big Halloween costume next year.

I think it would be fun to live on that monster island for a day. I was genuine sad when max left and Carol and the other monsters were howling. I hope they worked things out amongst themselves. I think they could use a counselor. Or, dare I say, a pastor? Maybe I will go there in a couple of years and live in their big fort and listen to their individual private confessions and absolve them.

By the way, maybe its because I'm a divinity student and look at much Christologically, but I think this had the makings of a(n) (anti-)Messiah film.
A being (Max), wearing skin similar to theirs (but is not quite like them) comes into the world of the Wild Things. They crown him their king. They believe that he can solve all their problems. But later they reject him and the cloud of death hangs over him because they have killed all the others that came to them whom they also rejected.

(Then the anti part) Max can't bring true happiness. He admits that he is not really a king, he is really a fraud. Just a kid in a costume. He says that The Wild Things don't need a king, they need a mom. Max leaves, the Wild Things howl in despair. Why? Who knows. Do they resolve things? Who knows? Max goes home to his mom.

Whether intentional of not, where there's smoke, there's a meta-narrative.

Fun Fact:

In July 2006, less than six weeks before the start of shooting, the Henson-built monster suits arrived at the Melbourne soundstage where Spike Jonze and his crew had set up their offices. The actors climbed inside and began moving around. Right away, Jonze could see that the heads were absurdly heavy. Only one of the actors appeared able to walk in a straight line. A few of them called out from within their costumes that they felt like they were going to tip over. Jonze and the production crew had no choice but to tell the Henson people to tear apart the 50-pound heads and remove the remote-controlled mechanical eyeballs. This meant that all the facial expressions would have to be generated in post-production, using computers.

Song Free Write

Welcome to a new feature on dmhblog called SongFreeWrite where I listen to a song and write my thoughts, observations, and whatnot in real time. First up on this maiden voyage is Be Calm by fun.

Violin and accordion. Where is the dancing monkey? Am I in Italy? Who is singing? Then chacha cha guitar. Then lala and some strings and another voice and a harmony.

He sounds sad like a baby.

“Why?” You say? Like a bird? It is singing and it is nice. It’s like a carnival. And a whistling bird. What a nice whistle.
Slow guitar. To emotional and smoothing. I can see musical notes in the air.

Tambourine! But now it its snappy and cranky! Like a nut cracker or one of those big wretches that a plumber has. Then there is a girl. Then two guys singing like they mean it. Lots of people!

Oh! He said Baptized. Neat.
Now it is like a carnival and a parade and a circus and there is a trumpet and dancing bears and an anthem and a triumph! LOTS OF NOISES AND STOMP STOMP! BELLS! CRASH CRASH!

It is a jam, like faux metal rock and roll, head banging, and channeling Queen or something. la la la jam jam! A Tour de force, sing/yelling and fist pumping. I want to jump in the air and float there for a few seconds.

I think he really wants me to be calm. I will consider it. Whoa! That sounds like a beepy space ship. I want to fly to krypton in it.

Oh, it’s back to a buzzing, slow-downy thing. Is it ending? I think so. It is winding down. Sllooowwwwww. It stopped.

-
That song caused me to rejoice. It had lots of neat noises. The dude’s voice was a bit polished, but it added a bit of glam to it all. I felt like I was in a parade. I wish that there were animals to bark and meow as I was listening to that song.

Life Reimagined

I walked down to the store and picked up a loaf of bread, 6 six eggs, a liter of OJ, a liter of apple juice (for wassail) and a half liter of Newcastle (out of Old Peculiar).
but this is how it when down in my mind.
-
Day 139 of Arctic Sea Otter Expedition 1500 hours
The days are growing shorter. My igloo base camp is holding up. The whale blubber and seal skins have proved solid insulation. Today I plan to brave the elements and attempt to observe the creatures in their native habitat to learn their secret beer making techniques.
-
Day 139 cont. 1603 hours
Though a short survey, I met will great success. Shielded from the fierce winds and swirling snow flakes by my electronic parka, I strained against the gale drudging toward my observation point. On the way, suddenly, what appeared to be a spaceship similar to that owned by George Jetson in the 1960 American Prime time cartoon program, buzzed down and opened its bubble like operating hatch. I stepped in, the hatch closed and whisked me up to a height of approximately 15 metres.
Below the craft a marching band appeared. I strained to see it between the breaks in the whiteout conditions.

I spied a button on the console labeled "White Out Away." I pushed it and the sun came out. The bubble hatch opened and I Could hear the band playing "Louie, Louie" transitioning into "Twist and Shout."


Though I was unable to document the habits of the sea otter, this afternoon has spurred me on toward anticipating success in future queries.

Hot chocolate for everyone! Pass the cookies!

Thoughts On a Friday in December

I enjoyed teaching bible study the past few Sunday mornings. The focus was on Piety (religious devotion) in the form of prayer, personal/family devotional time, fasting. I also tossed in a little Advent theme in the last session.

On aspect I emphasized was the practice of speaking out loud during your reading and prayer time. I have found it to be helpful. It was a bit awkward at first I guess because I was so used to reading and praying silently. I’ve found it a helpful practice. I tend to get more out of the prayers and readings when I speak them. When I read to myself, I have the tendency to zoom through the material. Speaking the words causes me to slow down. Hearing the words in my ear also adds another sense (i.e. hearing) for me to absorb the words.

Scripture is filled with out loudness. “Oh, Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. Until recently, speaking prayers and scripture was nothing I had considered before, but it seems to have been the practice of the church from early on.

It’s not like there is anything magical about it. I have enjoyed it though. It’s like I’m actually taking to somebody (God, perhaps?). It kind of opens the doors of your personal worship. Instead of talking to yourself, pretend somebody might be listening.

I sometimes take it an extra step and sing the words. That’s what I love about the liturgy is that much of it is sung. I am able to sing the psalms with a simple chant tone. Also any of the collects (a specific type of prayer, usually ancient) and the Lord’s Prayer. I’ve been learning a few different Advent Hymns. They are great. “Lo, he comes with clouds descending,” “Savior of the nations, Come” Singing in your devotions is fun. It adds a bit of variety. It is cool to be singing words written and sung by Christians throughout the ages from around the world. Our hymnal is remarkable catholic (little c) as in universal in scope. Sure, it may be a bit German and Lutheran heavy. Obviously. But there is a wealth of treasures from the entire church. Hymns from the early centuries of the church, from the past century. From America, Africa, Asia, Europe. Translated from Latin, Greek, French, Spanish. It is cool to look down at the bottom of the page and see that I am singing a hymn written by St Patrick, or St Benedict. Along with that info, there are always references to the scriptures quoted or alluded to in the hymn. Some of the tunes can be a bit hairy to learn, but it seriously beats 3 chord, one verse choruses that I feasted on in the past. As one of my profs put it. Those songs are not terrible, just as potato chips are not terrible, in moderation. If you want to eat chips, do it every once in a while. Don’t make it your primary sustenance for every meal.

I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve been using “The Treasury of Daily Prayer” for devotions and it has been amazing. If you are looking for a devotional aid, it would be difficult to find a better tool. It has a psalm, O and NT reading for each day, along with a verse of a hymn, a collect, and a reading from one of the church fathers or someone cool like Luther. It also has simple orders of service for personal and family use for morning, noon, evening and night. It also has cool sung orders like matins, vespers, morning and evening prayer and Compline. It is the bizzlebomb.

Becca and I are enjoying Advent. We have a little advent wreath we light. I found info for making a Jesse Tree. You have a picture with scripture for everyday of advent leading you though the OT on the way to Christmas. (Creation, the fall, the flood, Abe and Issac, moses, etc). And it makes a tree. It’s pretty cool. I think I may adjust it in the future so the readings point more specifically to Christ, because he is everywhere in the OT:
Gen 1: God speaking THE WORD and “Let US make man in our own image”
Gen 3: crushing the heel of the serpent.
More Gen: Issac being sacrificed, Joseph in the pit
Ex: burning bush
Josh: angel of the lord before Jericho
Isaiah’s suffering servant
Daniel: fourth man in the furnace.
Etc etc.

We also have a little advent calendar with verses behind the windows from the Christmas story from Luke and Matt.

It is cool.

Word.

I am a milkcarton: Video

I was listening to this song as I rode the London. I love this video.

stuff i do; Life Update

Recently.

Reading:
mlbtraderumors.com
Luther's Large Catechism
Isaiah
1 John
Sasse, Hermann. We Confess
Bradshaw, Paul. Early Christian Worship.
Jeremias Joachim. Infant Baptism in the First Four Centuries
Jeremias, Joachim. The Origins of Infant Baptism
Aland, Kurt. Did the Early Church Baptize Infants?
Scaer, David. Baptism.

Listening: BBC3 (classical), Islands, Port O'Brien, The Very Best, Julian Casablancas, Dan Deacon.

Watching:
Pingu!, the Flinstones, Bogart films: Dark Passage, The Maltese Falcon. BBC news

eating: pastrami, toad in a hole, tacos, digestives

drinking: South African wine, PG Tips (tea), Christmas porter.

Halfway House: Thoughts

I am now about halfway through my seminary studies. 2 1/2 years down. 2 1/2 years to go.
Time has gone sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly. I want to learn more and I want to be in the parish at the same time.

In purely academic terms the amount of time I am studying is pretty foolish. People can get a master's degree in 1 year rather than 5. It was explained to me thusly and I like it; medical doctors get a lot of training and patients are greatful for it. Likewise, it is good for a Soul Doctor (Seelsorge - German word for pastor) to be well trained.

There are still many things up in the air - where I will go for Vicarage, Where I will go for my call to the parish - but whatever, its all good. I've learned a lot. Becca and I have had good times.

There is much apparent stupidness about what I am doing though (1 cor 1:18-31). That is all too apparent here in the UK. We are indeed a post-Christian culture in America. Clergy tend not so much to be respected as pitied or loathed. Also being a Lutheran is apparently pretty stupid. Sectarian, divisive, etc. Love it or loathe it, I will be walking the lonely road between Protestantism and Catholicism until Rome repents or the good Lord decides to take me home. What a beautiful place to be. Nowhere else I'd rather find myself.

Before too long, I'll be walking around with a collar around my neck as the soul doctor on call, with some book learning under my belt and clearly much more to learn in the school of experience about life and death, the great cycle that is played out in the church year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost) and in the church body (Birth, Baptism, Catechesis, Communion, Death and Burial) and daily in the life of the believer (take up the cross, die, rise again, remembering your baptism).

I think I'll always be halfway (saint and sinner) as long as I'm on this earth. Halfway between Christ's coming and Christ's coming.

Winston's hiccup: Quote - wiki

Funny.

Winston's Hiccup or Churchill's Hiccup is the huge zigzag in Jordan's eastern border with Saudi Arabia, supposedly because Winston Churchill drew the boundary of Transjordan after a generous and lengthy lunch.

Churchill, then British Colonial Secretary, boasted that he had "created Transjordan with the stroke of a pen on a Sunday afternoon in Cairo."[1] A story subsequently arose that, after enjoying an overly liquid lunch that day, he had hiccuped while attempting to draw the border and had refused to allow it to be corrected. Thus the zigzag, with the Saudi town of Kaf near its apex[2] has been written into history as "Winston's hiccup".

Baptism:Quote

I came across this today. I thought it was quite good and interesting as I am currently studying the practice of infant baptism in the Early Church.

Why I Baptized Our Babies
Monday, December 7th, 2009

I have been involved in a number of conversations recently concerning infant Baptism. This kind of thing is a never ending cycle on the internet and instead of rehashing everything on several different forums, I thought it might be helpful to put down in writing a defense of infant Baptism addressing several points that proponents of adult believer’s baptism bring up.

The two things that I hear most often are:

1. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work or action. Its main purpose is as a testimony.

2. Infants can’t have faith and/or repent, therefore they cannot be baptized.

Many refutations of these two points often fail, not because they are not true, but because they resort to a kind of theological shorthand that leaves out several important distinctions and foundational assumptions and results in the two sides talking past each other.

Proponents of believers-only baptism usually argue from the Book of Acts and the Gospels, taking their cues from how they see baptism being used in the Scriptures.

This is correct insofar as it goes. However, in the view of those who champion infant baptism, it does not go far enough.

The Lutherans and other paedobaptists (those who baptize their infants) go further. They look to see what the scriptures say baptism is and does. This is a huge difference. Think about it for a moment.

Our believers-only baptism friends rightly point out that the majority of people people baptized in the Bible have believed and repented before they were baptized. (We would say that the believing centurion and the Philippian jailer probably had children that were baptized with the household.) This is then set in stone as it were, and considered to be the final word on the subject.

The Lutheran way is to ask “What is baptism and what does it do?” and consequently “Given what the scriptures say, how is it properly used and on whom is it used?”

Let’s take a quick tour of the pertinent passages and what they say.

Romans 6:3-5 Baptism into Christ’s death and burial with Him. Unites us to His death and resurrection.

Colossians 2:11-12 Putting off of the sinful nature by the circumcision done by Christ through baptism.

Ephesian 5:26 What else is a “washing with water through word” but baptism?

1 Peter 3:21 Baptism now saves us… Cut it any way you like, but baptism somehow saves.

Because this is what the scriptures say baptism is, then how then is it properly used?

Matthew 28:18-29 Make disciples by baptizing and teaching. (We baptize our infants into teaching and teach adults into baptism.)

See the various instances in the Book of Acts. Note especially the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:33) whose whole household was baptized.

This is what baptism is and what it does. The crux of the paedobaptist arguments lie primarily in the substance of baptism as scripture defines it, and only secondarily in the examples of its application we see in the Book of Acts. That is why we so often are talking past each other.

So then if baptism joins us to Christ, what about our children, how do we bring them to Jesus? Is it proper to do so?

Mark 10:13-16 Jesus rebukes the disciples who were preventing parents from bringing their infants to Him.

Baptism is the way we bring our children to Him. The New Testament says nothing about infant dedication. Neither does the early Church.

The Scriptures never speak of baptism as a testimony to others. The Ethiopian eunuch and the Philippian jailer and his household were in situations in which there weren’t many witnesses to testify. The scriptures also never speak of baptism as an outward sign of an inward work.

It seems a bit ironic to us that groups that assign to baptism a symbolic or signatory value often become hyper-literal concerning the mode of baptism. So baptism is for them an outward sign of an inward work, and a testimony to others about your relationship with the Lord, but unless you are entirely immersed in the water the baptism is not valid. If the water does nothing, then why is it important to immerse rather than sprinkle?

The second objection we often hear is “Infants can’t have faith and/or repent, therefore they cannot be baptized.”

This second objection makes ‘understanding’ as we define it the one necessary work on our part to be saved. If they are unable to comprehend then the Lord is incapable of granting that infant (or mentally handicapped adult for that matter) the gift of faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that faith is a gift given by the Lord. We are loathe to say that the Lord cannot do something; especially when it comes to granting someone saving faith. You end up with a situation in which God is unable to communicate with some part of His creation.

In the book of Jonah, God commands a fish and a vine to do his bidding. In Genesis 9:5 there is that strange passage where the Lord says he will demand an accounting for our lifeblood from every animal that kills a human. So God will hold animals morally accountable for killing humans. There seem to be a lot of things going on behind the scenes between God and His creation that we are not privy to. If He can communicate with fish and vines and hold animals accountable for killing us, I think He is capable of granting the gift of faith to my children through the appointed means of baptism. It is His action towards us.

When someone is baptized, it is not the Pastor that buries someone into the death of Christ and raises them to new life in Christ, but God Himself makes the baptism efficacious. I brought my children to the baptismal font so that they could be buried in Christ’s death and raised to new life in Him. I am confident that God is faithful to His word.

So here, briefly, I have summed up a couple of quick points that I hope will shed some light on why those of us who baptize our children believe that it is scriptural and right.

Honestly...

If the Tigers are indeed going to trade both Granderson and Jackson they had better make it worth my while.

quote

39] There would also be overthrown and taken from us the foundation that the Holy Ghost wishes certainly to be present with the Word preached, heard, considered, and to be efficacious and operate through it. Therefore the meaning is not at all the one referred to above, namely, that the elect are to be such [among the elect are to be numbered such] as even despise the Word of God, thrust it from them, blaspheme and persecute it, Matt. 22:6; Acts 13:46; or, when they hear it, harden their hearts, Heb. 4:2. 7; resist the Holy Ghost, Acts 7:51; without repentance persevere in sins, Luke 14:18; do not truly believe in Christ, Mark 16:16; only make [godliness] an outward show, Matt. 7:22; 22:12; or seek other ways to righteousness and salvation outside of Christ, Rom. 9:31. 40] Moreover, even as God has ordained in His [eternal] counsel that the Holy Ghost should call, enlighten, and convert the elect through the Word, and that He will justify and save all those who by true faith receive Christ, so He also determined in His counsel that He will harden, reprobate, and condemn those who are called through the Word, if they reject the Word and resist the Holy Ghost, who wishes to be efficacious and to work in them through the Word and persevere therein. And in this manner many are called, but few are chosen.

41] For few receive the Word and follow it; the greatest number despise the Word, and will not come to the wedding, Matt. 22:3ff The cause for this contempt for the Word is not God's foreknowledge [or predestination], but the perverse will of man, which rejects or perverts the means and instrument of the Holy Ghost, which God offers him through the call, and resists the Holy Ghost, who wishes to be efficacious, and works through the Word, as Christ says: How often would I have gathered you together, and ye would not! Matt. 23:37.

42] Thus many receive the Word with joy, but afterwards fall away again, Luke 8:13. But the cause is not as though God were unwilling to grant grace for perseverance to those in whom He has begun the good work, for that is contrary to St. Paul, Phil. 1:6; but the cause is that they wilfully turn away again from the holy commandment [of God], grieve and embitter the Holy Ghost, implicate themselves again in the filth of the world, and garnish again the habitation of the heart for the devil. With them the last state is worse than the first, 2 Pet. 2:10. 20; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 10:26; Luke 11:25.
SD XI 39-42

good words

12. Thus far a Christian should occupy himself [in meditation] with the article concerning the eternal election of God, as it has been revealed in God's Word, which presents to us Christ as the Book of Life, which He opens and reveals to us by the preaching of the holy Gospel, as it is written Rom. 8:30: Whom He did predestinate, them He also called. In Him we are to seek the eternal election of the Father, who has determined in His eternal divine counsel that He would save no one except those who know His Son Christ and truly believe on Him. Other thoughts are to be [entirely] banished [from the minds of the godly], as they proceed not from God, but from the suggestion of the Evil Foe, whereby he attempts to weaken or entirely to remove from us the glorious consolation which we have in this salutary doctrine, namely, that we know [assuredly] that out of pure grace, without any merit of our own, we have been elected in Christ to eternal life, and that no one can pluck us out of His hand; as He has not only promised this gracious election with mere words, but has also certified it with an oath and sealed it with the holy Sacraments, which we can [ought to] call to mind in our most severe temptations, and take comfort in them, and therewith quench the fiery darts of the devil.

13. Besides, we should use the greatest diligence to live according to the will of God, and, as St. Peter admonishes, 2 Pet. 1:10, make our calling sure, and especially adhere to [not recede a finger's breadth from] the revealed Word: that can and will not fail us.

Epitome of the Formula of Concord XI

Life Update

Went to an accordian concert. Went to the Fitzwilliam Museum and looked at pictures of Jesus.
I came across this artist the other day, Nikolaj Nikolajewitsch. I like the pictures he made about Jesus. Here are some:

Gethsemane

Judas

My jams

My jams at the moment ere "Perfect Fit" by Clues.
"Caterpillar Playground" by Nurses.
and "Doomsday" by Elvis Perkins in Dearland.

Sermon: Advent 1

Advent 1 - Romans 13:11-14
Seminarian Darren Harbaugh

Today we had 8 hours and 2 minutes and 25 seconds of daylight, tomorrow we will have 5 seconds less and the day after that 5 fewer seconds. As we creep closer and closer to the official beginning of winter on the 21st of this month, we know that it is waiting eagerly on the doorstep. We are reminded of its presence by the sight of our breath, the chill of the piercing wind and those frigid temperatures but we especially know that winter is upon us by the ever-shortening day.

The sun set at 3:50 PM today. It gets dark so early that sometimes I want to go to bed at 5pm because it feels more like 11 to me. This part of the year makes it much more difficult to know what time it is just by looking around you. I don’t wear a watch and I don’t carry a cell phone so I am always searching for a clock or having to ask somebody, “What time is it?”
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“What time is it.” This is an important question for the apostle Paul in our reading tonight. St. Paul proposes a new way of ordering time, a new way for Christians that is. Time is ordered by salvation. And Paul encourages the Roman Christians and us with the words, “ Salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed.” This is still true for us, 2000 years down the pike from Paul’s day. It is even more true for us. Yes, Paul was closer to that main event in human history, Christ’s first advent and his death and resurrection. But we are closer to Christ Second Advent, where he will return for both the living and the dead. What time is it? We are in the “In-between” time. Between salvation and salvation. Between Advent and Advent.

We know what time it is. Not by looking at a watch or the fading sun in the sky, but by the light shone on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We have been given supernatural time-sensing abilities. We have been given new eyes of faith to see what appears to be foolishness to the world. When the world sees darkness, we see light. We perceive day, when the world sees night.

What time is it? “The night is almost gone and the day is near.” That sounds like an “in-between” time to me. It’s daybreak. The sun has pierced darkness. But for us it is both night and day, at the same time. It is both darkness and light at the same time. And we are both sinner and saint at the same time.
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Even though we know the time, we like to stay asleep in the deeds of darkness. The Son has shone in our hearts indeed, but we often feel quite comfortable and cozy in the warm bed we have made for ourselves and are content to keep hitting the snooze button, thank you very much.

When you are asleep, you are not aware of anything. You have no idea what time it is. You are unconcerned about what’s going on around you, about your duties and responsibilities. Your eyes are closed; you can’t even see what is right in front of you. When Christians fall asleep, we become unconcerned about eternal matters. Oh, we’re very active about earthly matters. Our lives are filled with all kinds of concerns and pressing matters that consume our thoughts as we snore away in spiritual sleep.

This is always the struggle though. You remember in the Garden, Jesus asked the disciples to watch and pray. Jesus always knew what time it was. He said ‘The Hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” But the disciples couldn’t even stay awake. They grew weary. They gave into temptation and fell asleep when they should have been watching, praying and aware of what time it was. Sound familiar?

What time is it? It is the hour for us to awaken from our sleep. This can go one of two ways. Imagine your alarm goes off and you are late for an important meeting. Terror. Dread. Adrenaline. Now imagine your alarm goes off and it is the first day of your holiday and you are headed out to some exotic locale. Or the feeling you got as a child when you woke up and it was finally your birthday or Christmas. Excitement. Anticipation. Exhilaration.

That is our hope. We do not awake to dread, we have died to judgement through Christ. We awake to life and salvation. We are THE morning people. To know God’s hour is to be awake. We walk in the light as he is in the light. Our salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Let us cast off from ourselves those ugly deeds of darkness – drunkenness, sexual immorality, jealously, and their other nefarious friends who cater to the flesh and its lusts.
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We know what time it is and we know who we are. We are the ones who are clothed in the armor of the light, that is, clothed in Christ himself at our baptism. Though we remain both sinner and saint, we have our Jesus Coat on. When the father sees us, He sees us completely covered by the shining brilliance of His Son, who died and rose again for our sins. In baptism, we participated with Christ in His death and resurrection. It is our daily dress, our daily attire. This grace that washed over us at our baptism continues to keep us in the Lord Jesus Christ as we await his Second coming. It is continual, daily. Yet we see that the Christian life doesn’t come without a battle.

What time is it? It is time for a fight, between sinner and saint. Between darkness and light, between day and night. We have put on this mysterious battle gear, the armor of light (Eph 6) – which is righteousness, salvation, faith, the Spirit – as we daily clash with the forces of darkness. We also have fellow soldiers and the church. Our only hope, our only lifeline, is provided through the church.

Look around. Outside it is dark, but in here, the church, the light is shining. We, who are in the church, have been enlightened and armored by Christ. Our faith appears to be foolishness to the world, but it is the very gift of God given to us by the Spirit. In Christ, we live and move and have our being. We know that the battle has been won.

But appearances can be deceiving. We know that on that first Easter morning, the Son broke into the horizon, to vanquish the darkness, but from our perspective, there is still darkness around us. That is why this community of new creations, right here, is the most important place for you to be in the world.

We know that without a doubt, Christ is really present. Right here. Christ said, “Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of you.” Christ comes to you through his Word. Know that right now, at this very time and at this very hour, Christ is present for you. Know that your sins are forgiven. And know that Christ is present through His Spirit in that forgiveness.

As soldiers of the light, we march through the valley of the shadow of death but we fear no evil. We know that despite appearances, we are in the light and we battle the darkness as we wait for the full revelation of God’s glory on the last day.
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So we keep pressing on to that day. Luther says “to advance is always a matter of beginning anew.” We new creations are always beginning anew. Don’t sweat the struggle. That will always be there. We live in that struggle. When you need to worry is when there is no struggle. That is a sure sign of someone who is asleep. We, however walk wide-awake in the light. Christ dwells in us and daily conforms us to his will. We let the power of the Gospel have its way.
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You know what time it is. Daylight seems to be in short supply, but really now is the day of victory. And you know who you are. You may at times look like a snoring sinner, but know that you are Christ’s own, clothed in the gift of his armor of light. And you know your hope. It is nothing that this world provides, but is seen only though holy eyes. Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. A day is coming better than any holiday or birthday. Every day brings us closer to the return of Christ when our struggle against the works darkness will be no more.
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Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Church marks 750th year with beer

Awesome.

Friday, November 27, 2009, 23:00

CELEBRATIONS to mark an East Devon church's 750th birthday will take place next week.

Ottery St Mary Parish Church will celebrate 750 years on Friday, December 4, with a candlelit service led by the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Rev Michael Langrish.

The service, which begins at 7.30pm, will reflect on the church's past, celebrate its present role and look to the next 750 years.

The church choir will be joined by choirs from other local churches at this communion service.

After the service, there will be refreshments available including a beer, The Bronescombe Ale, brewed for the occasion by O'Hanlon's Brewery, Whimple.

The beer has been named after Bishop Walter Bronescombe who, on the feast of St Andrew in 1259, arrived in Ottery St Mary and dedicated the Church of Sancte Marie de Otery.

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also this is cool:

Church ales were events, not drinks, fundraising happenings designed to raise money for the parish: similar fundraisers by newly married couples were called “bride ales”, from which, according to the Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, our modern word “bridal” is derived.

”Bridal”, now an adjective, was originally a noun, “bride ale”, meaning “wedding feast”, with “ale”, the drink word, taking on the extended meaning of “celebration”. The same semantic extension is seen in the Irish expression for feasting, “coirm agus ceol”, which literally means “ale and song” (well, what else does a celebration consist of?).

England is flooding. We are planning for our trip to Portugal, Spain, and Morrocco.
Rain, rain, and tea drinking. Sermon writing, scripture reading, music and bike riding, chips, and classical music, evensong, train, bus and all that.

Saw the film "The white Ribbon." I don't really know what I think about it. I'm glad I wasn't a Lutheran in Germany in the 19teens.

Holy habits: or Hooray for Piety!

Bible study #2. This is is a compilation (thievery) of resources from Revs Bachman, Weedon, Peperkorn and Egret and my own study and the Treasury of Daily Prayer.
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Intro: try to list as many things that you can think of that you do everyday. Habits, routines.

What are Holy habits?
Praying is for the Christian is like breathing is for the rest of humanity.

But before the daily routines, let’s see the big picture: Church year (advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter..), the week (Sunday to Sunday), the day (sunup to sundown, the hours).

Meditation during the week flows from and towards the Divine Service, wherein we receive those other tangible gifts: the Sacraments of Absolution and Holy Communion.

Cycles:

PRAYER

Jesus:
40 days in wilderness
Sought a quiet place to pray
He taught his disciples to pray
After the Last Supper, sung a hymn, prayed in Gethsemane
Prayed from the cross.
He intercedes for us now.

Matthew 6:6-7
6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Is prayer an option?
“'when' you pray" from Matt 6

How do we pray?
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He gave them a set prayer to use: the Lord’s Prayer
“Pray then like this…” (Matt 6:9).

“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise” (Ps 51:15).

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How often should we pray?
The OT set out a pattern of evening and morning prayers at the tabernacle, and the Jews who could not attend would pray at the same hours, with set prayers.

From the Psalms, we see certain patterns:
“O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You.” (Ps. 88.2)
“I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your Word.” (Ps. 119.147-148)
“Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.” (Ps. 119.164)


ELSEWHERE IN SCRIPTURE
Acts 2:42 - 4And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and THE prayers.
In Acts 2.42, the Early Church devoted themselves to “THE Prayers,” implying a set order of prayer.

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1).
Rom 12:12 - Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
I thess 5:17 - pray without ceasing
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Benefits?
-Prayer is to the Christian what breathing is to a human.
-keep in communication with God
-grounds us in faith

Traditional prayer
-No need to “reinvent the wheel”
-No need to be a brilliant writer or speaker
-No need for “Wejustwanna” prayers
-Is grounded in God’s Word
-Is meditative
-Praying with the Church as a whole
-Go beyond “O Lord, woncha buy me…”

Monks
Liturgy of the Hours
Matins/Lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, compline
Monks and nuns prayed/chanted all 150 Psalms each week
Continuous readings from Scripture, the fathers of the Church, and hymns
Use of a Breviary
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Reformation-era daily prayer
Matins (Morning Prayer)
Vespers (Evening Prayer)
Compline (was reintroduced later)
Catechism Prayers - Morning, evening, at meals

Also now, the short orders for individuals and families, etc.,


IMPORTANCE OF DAILY PRAYER LIFE
Luther
Small Cat: Daily prayers p 30 (APPENDIX B)

STRUCTURE
Cross self – When we make the sign of the cross, what we are doing is A) remembering our Baptism; B) Remembering Jesus’ death for our sins; C) Confessing to the world that I am not ashamed to be known as a disciple of Jesus; and D) Holding up the cross of Christ as the central core of my identity.
Read scripture –Daily lectionary (in LSB) LOOK AT IT
Luther’s prayers in Small Cat Daily Prayer
Weedon’s prayers. HAND OUT (Appendix A)
(Are written prayers ok? - Mostly straight from Scripture. "it is far better to pray from the riches of God’s grace than from the poverty of our hearts." - Bonhoeffer.)

**Make a list (index card or scrap paper will do) of people you want to pray for. Family members, pastor, church, godchildren, the nation and leaders, the sick, suffering, mourning; finally, your own struggles and needs.

-The Jesus Prayer."Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me [literally!] THE sinner." I use this prayer often, especially when driving. But as I pray it over and over again, I see the faces of the different people I am praying for and I pray that prayer as one with them.

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The greatest challenge is not to lose sight of the objectivity of the Word.
Christian meditation, Christian spirituality is oral and tangible.
We do not experience God in the silence of our hearts; and while we can marvel at the power of God and discern His glory from creation, we cannot know His will from beholding a sunset, mountain, or ocean.
We only know His will from His Word.

SPEAKING OUT LOUD
So when you are meditating on the Word, speak the Psalms, Readings, and prayers out loud. When you are praying by yourself, you simply say (or sing) all the parts yourself. Nothing else changes. Still speak out loud, unless it would not be acceptable. In those cases, even if you can move your mouth and whisper very quietly, do that.
This does several things:

-It compels you to slow down so that you are not flying through things without really praying and listening.

-Through engaging not just the mind but the mouth and the ear, more of the body becomes engaged and thus the Word becomes more memorable.

-Pray as though someone were listening; God just might be!

-The Word of God, and especially the Name of JESUS, drives the demons away and causes angels to rejoice. Name the Name of JESUS wherever you are; at the Name of JESUS every knee must bow.

-Luther: “You should meditate [on the Scriptures], that is, not only in your heart, but also externally, by repeating the written words externally and rubbing them (like a herb for its flavor), reading and rereading them with diligent attention and reflection, so that you may see what the Holy Spirit means by them.”

“Spiritual” does not mean intangible; in Christian thinking, it is not the opposite of physical. That which is Spiritual is that which is of and from the Holy Spirit. So for something to be Spiritual, it is something done in, by, or for us by the Holy Spirit. And the HS works through the means of Word and Sacrament. So don’t look for “spirituality” in an inward meditation of mind-clearing, deprivation, or silence. Look for spirituality where the HS is: in the Word (and in the Sacraments)
The HS is our Teacher, and He teaches us about Christ through His Word. Not mental guidance or immediate illumination, but faith and guidance through the Scriptures, which are external to ourselves.

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Setting the Stage:

* Make a commitment to daily prayer
* Schedule a time or times, either by the clock or by daily landmarks (e.g., after you get up, after breakfast, before lunch, 10pm, before bed)
* Communicate with others in your family what time you want to pray as a group
* There will be days when you miss it because life intruded, you were lazy, sinful, sick, etc. Don’t worry or let that cause total failure. Simply start again at the right place. No need to obsess about "catching up." Don't sweat it; the goal is to be faithful in praying, not to "keep score."

* Don’t try to do too much – better to do something, however small, than to set yourself up for failure and guilt. Luther’s advises to on start simply instead of trying to do too much.

Additionally:
* If you can, find a quiet place and quiet time.
-feel free to light a candle, or set up an area with a crucifix or icon.
* Turn off TV, radio
* Close doors if noise might distract you
* Turn off cell phone, email notifications
* Agree that you will not answer the phone. Let it go to voicemail. It can wait.
Don’t rush.
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Prayer is difficult
“Devotion” is so called because it requires devotion, dedication, discipline. The cares of the world, distractions, and sometimes the sinful thoughts that it doesn’t really matter or that nothing really changes can make us give up quickly.

The Fathers spoke of the “exercise of piety,” and like bodily exercise, playing an instrument, mathematics or foreign languages, if we do not keep on exercising, practicing, reviewing, we will lose what we had, and so the last state is worse than the first.
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APPENDIX A

Daily Intercessions
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, and You yourself pray in me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son , and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, in Your mercies and lovingkindness You regard the humble prayers of all who call upon You with their whole heart; incline Your ear and hear now my prayer, offered to You in humility:

Be Mindful, O Lord, of Your Holy, Christian and Apostolic Church; confirm and strengthen her, increase her and keep her in peace, and preserve her unconquerable forever.

Be mindful, O Lord, of my pastor, (your pastor's name), and of all the clergy of the Church, which You have established to feed the flock on Your word; and by their prayers have mercy upon me and save me, a sinner.

Be mindful, O Lord, of all civil authorities, of our armed forces, of this place in which we reside, and of every city and the countryside; grant them peaceful times, that we, in their tranquility, may lead a calm and peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity.

Be mindful, O Lord, of my parents,(their names), of my brothers and sisters,(their names), of relatives,(their names), and of my friends,(their names); grant that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, pardon and remission of their sins; that they may ever praise and glorify Your Holy Name.

Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by land, by sea, and by air; of the old and young, the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing, the afflicted, the captives, the needy and the poor; and upon them all send forth Your mercies, for You are the Giver of all good things.

Be mindful, O Lord, of me, Your humble servant; grant me Your grace, that I may be diligent and faithful, avoiding evil company and influence, resisting temptation; that I may lead a godly and righteous life, blameless and peaceful, ever serving You; and grant me at last the grace of entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

For a spouse - My bountiful God, I beseech You, listen to my humble prayer, that I may ever feel that the married state is holy and that I must keep it holy. Grant Your grace that I may never sin against the faithfulness and love of this marriage. Foster between “Name” and me the spirit of understanding and of peace, that no strife, quarrel or misunderstanding, may arise between us. Grant us health and our daily bread, whereby we may serve You more. Amen.

For children - O God, our heavenly Father, You love mankind, and are most merciful and compassionate, have mercy upon our children, Your servants, (their names), for whom I humbly pray You, and commend them to Your gracious protection. Be, O God, their guide and guardian in all their endeavors; lead them in the path of Your truth, and draw them near to You, that they may lead a godly and righteous life in Your love and fear; doing Your will in all matters. Give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious, diligent, devout and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of this life; and direct them in the way of salvation, for the merits of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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APPENDIX B

Daily Prayers

How the head of the family should teach his household to pray morning and evening
Morning Prayer.

1] In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

2] Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

3] Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest.

Evening Prayer.

4] In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

5] Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.

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Sources:
http://lutheranlogomaniac.com/?p=584#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-do-we-make-the-sign-of-the-cross
http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/05/08/daily-prayers-you-may-find-helpful/
http://esgetology.com/2009/05/26/treasury-of-daily-prayer-workshop/
http://cyberbrethren.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/divine_office.pdf

beep beep

Anybody have any music recommendations? I like music that goes: wee woo wee ooo KKKKKKKKZZZZZZZZRRRRRRRRRRRR beep beep boo nee nu nee nu WOW WOW DUP DUP DUP. etc.

Cambridge people are smart. I like the ones that are Christians. It is odd to have theology profs that do not believe. The Bible is not just Shakespeare. For the most part lectures are good. Balance and all that. I really enjoy the study. I don't think Academia is my schtick though. It will be good to be a pastor someday.

I am working on a bible study. I will post it.

TRex is the jam.
I chilled out with the Archbishop of Canterbury the other day.
I'm preaching again in early Dec. Good. Its been too long that I've been away from preaching the Word. I wish I could do it every week. On the streets. On a box. In a funny hat. In the rain. In front of a dragon. That is breathing fire at me. And I have a shield with a cool logo on it (like a smoking baby/cat). And there is a cool Zombies song playing. Yeah.

Also, I am embarking on a new writing project. It will make me a million dollars. But you will not know it is me. I will not do interviews or will only do them with my face blurred and with a crazy computer scratchy voice. or at least with a mask on. and a cowboy hat on. definitely a cowboy hat on.

I think If I could be one thing that I am not, that doesn't exist much anymore, I think I would be a cowboy. Like a fake Cormac McCarthy cowboy though, not a real one. That would be no fun.

Hardly anything is as fun in real life as it is in your mind.

A wise man once said, You've just got to prepare yourself to be a janitor. You're always cleaning up a mess your whole life. and maintenance and all that. It's not depressing. It's just life. There's not enough janitors in life, but more than a few mess-makers. Dare to be a janitor. Which is really just doing your job. Don't fret about discerning "God's will". That's it: be a good human. Do your job. Clean up your messes. Clean up other people's messes. Do it your whole life. Do it with joy.

Easy, right? We've got our whole lives to practice.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen.


He will (and does) by the way.

wittenberg institute

Cool. I'm glad that the cool, new, independent, free, Lutheran seminary is opening now. Just a couple years too late folks.

http://www.wittenberginstitute.org/

Oh, well. Even though I miss out, this place looks pretty legit.

Advent is coming

They have already lit up their Christmas lights here is Cambridge. And it isn't even Advent yet. Advent. That forgotten season in the church calendar.

Download this pdf tutorial on Advent from Pastor Cwirla.
A taste:

The church year in the West begins with with a preparatory season called “Advent.” The word “advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “appearing” or “coming,” referring to the appearing of a great king or even a god. In Christian usage, it refers to the appearing of Jesus Christ in two ways - His first appearing as the Child born of the Virgin Mary and His second appearing in glory on the Last Day to judge the living and the dead. You see, Advent isn’t only about getting ready for Christmas; it’s also about getting ready for Jesus’ final appearing in glory only the Last Day.

Sick of the consumerism of "Christmas?" Consider delving into Advent. Cwirla has some good ideas: Attend Advent services Wed night, do daily advent themes devotions, decorate for Christmas in stages, make an advent calendar, and for a conversation starter - when people say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" respond with "Blessed Advent"

Cwirla mentions that Advent traditionally involves fasting.
I have known that Wednesday and Friday have been fast days, but I never knew why. Well...

From the early centuries, Christians fasted each week on Wednesdays and Fridays. Wednesday was the day our Lord was betrayed by Judas, Friday the day He was crucified for our salvation.

Cool. I think fasting in some regard during advent (and adding a time of prayer), may be a great aid to prepare for Christmas and to anticipate the coming of our Lord while also bucking the consumer-minded trends.

VDMA

VDMA stands for the Latin phrase: Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum or in English: The Word of the Lord Endures Forever. This battle cry of the Reformation comes through in various hymns such as in A Mighty Fortress: “The Word they still shall let remain.” It reminds us that the Scriptures are the only sure guide for faith and life.

Peter quoting Isaiah says:

24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

It is and it is.

The word is the word is the word.

endtimes.

We are at the end of the church year and Advent is soon upon us. The theme is (in part) Christ's second coming. Here are some assorted studies I've been doing on that topic:

America is enamored with Dispensational Premillenialsm, which says that Christ will literally and physically be on earth for his millennial reign, at this second coming.

Christ's second coming includes MUCH more than this view espouses.

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Reguarding Scripture:

Premillennialism is based a lot on a literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6. Especially verse 2:

"And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years"

Rev 20:2 mentions that Satan was bound. When did this happen? We must look to Scripture for help. The only other reference to binding the devil in the New Testament occurs in a parallel account in Matt 12, Mark 3, and Luke 11 when Jesus was casting out demons and was accused of doing it "in the power of Beelzebub."

Jesus responds and mentions that one must "bind" the strong man. This word used in Matthew and Luke is the same used in Rev 20:2.

The "strong man" is Satan. Jesus was saying that as he was casting out demons, he was setting these people free from the slavery of Satan. He was showing that in him, the kingdom of God had come.

The devil was bound, counquered and judged as the result of Christ's life, death on the cross, and resurrection.

Also, a couple verses help determine when this binding of Satan and the 1000 years took place:
2 Peter 2:4

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;"

and Jude 6

"And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—"

These scriptures clearly show that the fallen angels were bound for judgement.
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Regarding the 1000 years, there are only two other passages that mention a time period of 1000 years.

Ps 90:4

"For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, For a thousand years in your sight are but as or as a watch in the night."

and
2 Pet 3:8

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

Here, 1000 years is a general reference to a lengthy period of earthly time, which is brief in God's view.

Also helpful is Ps 50:10 for this idea of 1000:

"For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills."

This does not reference 1000 specific hills, but is a way of referring to a large number of hills. 1000 is a number of completeness meaning "all the hills." Also similar is Isaiah 7:23:
"In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns."

Here 1000 means, "abundant," "many" vines.

These scriptures show that 1000 years is not so much a literal chronological, period of time, but a time of completeness. The biblical tradition of "a one day is like 1000 years and 1000 years is like a day" points to the sense of completeness all of that God has planned.
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I believe in the visible, personal return of Christ, but I have a number of disagreements will the Premillennial view on the end times.

My church (the LCMS) holds a view which is called "amillennialist" (sometimes called "realized millennialism" because the period spoken of in Revelation 20 is now in the process of realization). Amillenialists believe that the "thousand-year" reference in Revelation 20 is a figurative expression for the present reign of Christ which began upon His ascension into heaven and will be fully manifested at His second coming. Christ's second coming will be one event at which time He will, "raise up me and all the dead, and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life".

I firmly hold the amillenialist view and ground my belief solidly in the whole of scripture. I think that Premillenialism tends to overlook the greater story of Scripture as seen through Christ and his work on the Cross. Here are some of my (and my church's) basic disagreements with Premillenialism (summarized from LCMS literature):

1. Premillennialism teaches that the Messiah and His kingdom promised in the Old Testament are essentially political in nature. Christ's atoning work on the cross is not central in God's plan according to this view. Rather, He is wrongly perceived as coming to set up a this-worldly kingdom.

2. The view regards the Messianic age as only a future reality, depriving people of the comforting promises of the Gospel in the present. In truth, Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven at His first coming, a kingdom which is now ours by faith even while it is yet hidden under the cross until its consummation at Christ's second coming.

3. Dispensational premillennialism tends to regard the glory of God as the center of theology, rather than the mercy of God revealed, and yet hidden, in the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross for the sins of the world. The visible manifestations of God's power at the end of history and obedience to the will of God become the primary focus, instead of the grace of God revealed in the cross of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 2:2)--which by faith the Christian regards and accepts as the place of God's definitive triumph over sin and every evil.

4. All prophecy points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment. When the reality to which the Old Testament points does come, one cannot revert back to the "shadows," such as the Old Testament temple (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 10:1).

5. It makes a radical distinction between the Mosaic "law" period and the church age of "grace." The relationship between the Old and New Testaments is that of promise and fulfillment.
6. Ultimately, Premillenialism offers a dangerously false hope of exemption from the intensified persecution toward the end. Moreover, it offers a second chance of conversion for those who are left after the rapture. The focus of the Scripture's hope is not an earthly kingdom lasting 1000 years but eternity with Christ.

7. The premillenial view of a radical break between Israel and the church contradicts the Scriptural teaching that the cross of Christ has eliminated forever the distinction between Jew and Gentile (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:11-22; Rom. 2:25-29).

8. Using consistent literalism in Biblical interpretation is contrary to the Scripturally-derived principles of interpretation.

9. Multiple resurrections and judgments are contrary to the clear Scriptural teaching on the end times.

10. The assurance and hope of salvation tend to be grounded on an interpretation of the signs of the times rather than on the sure Word of promise imparted in the means of grace.

11. The sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper, both of which are important for a Biblical understanding of the end times, have little place in premillenial teaching.

Bible Study or Hooray for Piety.

I'm teaching 3 bible study sessions coming up. Here are some assorted notes and source material on my work in progress.

My thesis: Ritual rooted in the Word is the answer to our emotional weariness.

The title is something like: Ritual and emotions: Oil and water or peas in a pod?

Objectives: After this lesson, the learners will be able to:
-Tell how emotion/experience/feelings are seen in scripture. And how ritual is seen.
-Identify Word-rooted ritual in their own worship/devotional lives.
-Apply ritual through praying the daily office and confession to receive comfort from the Gospel of Christ.

1: In regard to faith; emotions, feelings, and experience are not bad.
2: There is a proper order, faith, then emotion.
3: The Word produces emotion: It kills. It comforts.
4: Most awesomely, The Word produces faith through the Gospel of Christ.
5: Let’s get us some Word.



Fill in the blanks: (you don’t have to share with the group)

Today, I feel ___________
For me, I anticipate that this service will be _________
Normally, when I come to church, I feel ________

I have deliberately used “feel” words. “There is nothing wrong with feelings, emotions, and experience. In fact, the lack of any experience is in itself an experience. The lack of feeling is a feeling. The lack of emotion is an emotion.”


Share a few?


Imagine we had couple visit church,that no one knew. The service starts and during the singing of “This is the Feast,” they both raise their hands above their head and start swaying. Then during the sermon they both shout “Amen” at various points in the sermon.
During tea after they service, they come up to you and ask you “How can you stand being apart of such a dead church?” How would you respond?

Personally, I have tended to have a negative reaction to experience, emotion and feeling.
-Introduce self and my church experience. Mark’s gospel. Reaction to Christ. His works, His gospel. Focus not on us.

Ashtonished:
Mark 1: 22And they were astonished at his teaching
27And they were all amazed
Mark 2:12b they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Mark 4: 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"


Lutherans, especially German Lutherans, don’t like the touchy feely stuff. Need a balance.

“The divorce between doctrine and piety, the mind and the heart, characteristic of both orthodox Reformation folk today on one side and pietists and charismatics on the other, is a course for disaster, not for either reformation or revival. (2)” - Dr. Michael Horton:


Let’s look at Christ.

2 natures – divine and HUMAN

he eats, he sleeps.

Gethsemene, weeping blood
Matthew 26:36-39
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.
38Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
John 12:27
27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

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emotions are ok.

Martin Luther writes, "We can mark our lack of faith by our lack of joy; for our joy must necessarily be as great as our faith." Again he writes, "You have as much laughter as you have faith."(5)

Feelings and emotions. while not the cause of our faith, are the expression of our faith.

Pendulum swing. Extremes. Beware.

Feelings and emotions are an effect and not a cause.

Martin Luther put it this way:

“We must not judge by what we feel or by what we see before us. The Word must be followed, and we must firmly hold that these truths are to be believed, not experienced; for to believe is not to experience. Not indeed that what we believe is never to be experienced but that faith is to precede experience. And the Word must be believed even when we feel and experience what differs entirely from the Word. (3)”

Think about this for a moment:
How do we carry on in the Christian life when “we feel and experience what differs entirely from the Word?”

Luther further writes, "Feeling must follow, but faith, apart from all feeling, must be there first.” (4)

-This is a leading question, but if faith, apart from all feeling, must be there first.’ How do we get that faith?

What is wrong with the following sentence?
"Rather than coming against a feel-good faith, we should clearly teach that true Christian feelings, emotions, and Holy Spirit experience are the product of sound theology."
Not theology, THE WORD! We are encountered by the Word.


SOLUTION
Romans 10:17 – "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

“I still constantly find that when I am without the Word, Christ is gone, yes, and so are joy and the Spirit. But as soon as I look at a psalm or a passage of Scripture, it so shines and burns into my heart that I gain a different spirit and mind. Moreover, I know that everybody may daily experience this in his own life.” (6) Luther


The Word: Law and Gospel

Word law
Jer 23:29
29 "Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

Deut 32: 39
"'See now that I, even I, am he,
and there is no god beside me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
and there is none that can deliver out of my hand."

1 Samuel 2:6
6 "The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up."

Job 5:18
18"For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal."

Hosea 6
1"Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up."

Magesterial use of reason and ministerial use?


So, the answer:
Luther said, "Hear God’s Word often; do not go to bed, do not get up, without having spoken a beautiful passage two, three, or four of them to your heart." (7)


Ritual. Holy habits. Get the Word into you and the Word will kill you and make you alive. We need the gospel of Christ in our ears, in our minds, and on our lips. We have the present proclamation of the forgiveness of sin at our finger tips. Let's eat it up!

Make a list of routines that you have throughout the day: on board. – brush teeth, take shower. eat breakfast. Pray. Read the Word of God. Which is most important? Come on, folks.

The Word. It does things. It convicts us, it restores us. We are able to feed on the Word and the gospel of Christ's work on the cross refreshes us and brings us comfort in the midst of our daily grind.

End:
Pray Psalm 42.

Next time(s): Look at the small catechism in the Hymnal (pg 327). Daily Prayers. making the sign of cross. The Daily Hours. Daily lectionary (pg 299) Prayer in scripture. Plan out day. 30 minutes a day. Confession (pg254)

go here and read all these quotes.

Lutheran?

I wrote the following to a friend who wonders if he is still Lutheran:

From a man who has been Methodist, Baptist, Church of God (Anderson, In), Mennonite, Pentecostal, Brethren, Non-denominational, emergent, and has dabbled in about everything else, I must say that the key is: "Where is the gospel being preached? Where is Christ?" Rare is the church that preaches grace alone through faith alone by Christ alone. And rare is the church that offers God's grace for you through the sacraments.
Every organization is messed up. We are sinners and we have to live with sinners. Pick your poison. But if you think the grass on the LCMS' lawn is withering, brother, the grass does not get much greener in any other church body, congregation, or loosely affiliated alliance.
What does it mean to be "Lutheran"? It is not a denomination. It's about the Gospel.
How bout this? Just sit down and have a chat with Benedict, change his mind about the justification thing, then we have nothing to worry about. We'll just go back home to Rome.

I heard an absolutely terrible sermon tonight. We've been in the habit of going to Evensong at the different colleges. Unfortunately, on Sunday night, it seems that a sermon is included. I can handle the Church of England, for the most part. If there is no sermon.

If your pastor finishes preaching a sermon and you notice that he has not mentioned Jesus, it is time for you to discuss the issue with your pastor.

If your pastor finishes preaching a sermon and you notice that he has only mentioned Jesus in regard to what you do for Him, it is time for you to discuss the issue with your pastor.

If your pastor finishes preaching a sermon and you notice that he has only mentioned Jesus in regard to how he can help you do things, it is time for you to discuss the issue with your pastor.


Using the Bible or quoting scripture does not make something Christian.

Jesus makes things Christian. His death and resurrection for us is what makes something Christian.

It is no wonder that people in England and America are becoming agnostic in droves. Pastors are feeding moralism to their congregations. The laity is being starved from feeding on the pure Gospel of Christ and receiving his forgiveness.

Thank God most of the Church of England still uses the liturgy. They still get the Word of God and the Gospel.

How sad is is for those who go to a "Christian" church and not only do they have to endure the assult of a law-driven lecture on moralism, but they also have no liturgy rooted in God's Word. They get a half an hour of songs written by...somebody.

Thank you, faithful pastors, who have boldly proclaimed the Gospel.

And those false leaders, who have neglected to proclaim Christ, but exalt moralism...
please, seriously, stop it.
My job is now like sweeping up the Cookie Monster's crumbs. It is like cleaning up Garfield's lasanga trays.
Cut it out.

The Son of God Goes Forth to War

I come across this hymn the other day in the treasury of daily prayer. I was quite stuck my verse three:

A glorious band, the chosen few
on whom the Spirit came;
twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
and mocked the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
the lion's gory mane;
they bowed their heads the death to feel:
who follows in their train?

LSB 661:3

I think this is a traditional hymn for All Saints Day. It really brought to my mind all those who have suffered and are suffering for the name of Christ. My comfort as a Christian is an abnormal comfort as experienced throughout the history of the Church. God's Word brings comfort, but it must kill first. Daily we are called to die and rise with Christ as his word encounters us, crushing us and restoring us.

Christ is Here

For the Crucified One becomes a figure of the past if His true body and His true blood, what He sacrificed for our sins on Golgotha, are not present in the Sacrament of the Altar and given to us. And the One who is coming again becomes a figure of a distant, unforeseeable future that lies beyond the scope of our life unless the church's prayer, "Maranatha," "Come, Lord Jesus," is already fulfilled now in every celebration of the Lord's Supper. There is no Gospel without the Real Presence. The Lord's Supper is a component of the Gospel; the Gospel is the content of the Lord's Supper.

-- Hermann Sasse, *We Confess: The Sacraments* p. 121
via Pastor Weedon's blog

Sweet.

My wife works in a candy shop. They have been playing the music from different film soundtracks at the store. The other day they were playing music from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and when the Lumpa Lumpaa Song came on, a little midget woman walked into the store. After a couple minutes, she farted, waved her hand in front of her nose and walked out of the store.

Drunk Ewoks moonwalking

Drunk Ewoks Moonwalking - watch more funny videos

I know what I should have been for halloween.

Saw the fireworks display down at Jesus Green for Guy Fawkes day.
There was also a fair with rides and lights and food and things.

My favorite book is the Treasury of Daily Prayer. It is good for devotions. For everyday it has a psalm (or a section of one) an OT reading (20 verses or so) an NT reading (20 verses or so), a writing from a church father, and a prayer. It is good to help you develop a routine in your practice of prayer and scripture reading. I highly recommend it to all. Even Non-lutherans like it.

If anyone can find the ark of the covenant...

...Brad Lidge can.

?

The conclusions Lidge reached during those summers have provided essential comfort ever since. Lidge and the Phillies begin the World Series tonight, but during the long regular season and a bewildering slump, he retained perspective. Through careful reading, thinking, and studying - Lidge is pursuing a degree in religious archaeology, with plans to eventually work in that field - he continues to cultivate a personalized Christianity. That process began in earnest in Kissimmee.

via get religion.

I need to get lights for my bike. it is a 50 pound fine if you ride at night without them.

Today, I read a lot about the Jews and their festivals. I like the ones that involve wine. Just add Jesus and I will celebrate them.

Tonight I am studying New Testament papyrus fragments: P64 and P67 (photocopies of them, actually). It's pretty cool. They are probably the oldest physical copies of the New Testament that have been uncovered (200s AD)

I will also read about Paul's theology of the atonement. Romans 3:25-26 stuff.

I will also drink beer and eat pizza and watch the World Series.

I have been watching most of the Word Series games. It is difficult though. They start at 1AM and chapel starts at 8:20 the next morning. I am driven by my desire to see the Yankees lose. I was at the game that ended their previous dynesty (Game 7 2001 World Series) so I feel that I have a hand in the goings on.

Two things I have found interesting:

One. Chase Utley is now tied with Reggie Jackson for most homeruns in a world series. really? Yeah. It's true. That means I will watch in hopes of that chumps record getting broken.

Two. The last World series to go more than 5 games was in 2003. I had thought that we were on a pretty boring run. I'm ready for another dynasty, as long as its not the Yankees, someone like Detroit. Here's the 7 gamers during my lifetime. 82, 85, 86, 87, 91, 97, 01, 02. I had forgetten about 02, 97 and 82 (ok, I never actually remembered that last one in the first place.)
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I'm enjoying the Mark class. It is really interesting was you learn when you read the Bible. I mean, I think it is easy to get caught up in reading about the Bible rather than actually reading the Bible.
A few observances:
one. Immediately, immediately, immediately
two. People freak out. They are amazed, astonished all the time.
three. Demons are all over. And they are "unclean"
four. The plot to kill Jesus is on soon. Chapter 3?
five. Huge crowds. Can't fit in a house, cannot eat, need to get in a boat.

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It gets dark here soon.

It is good that Becca works in a candy shop. Yum.