The Three Cs

Thy strong word did cleave the darkness, at thy speaking it was done. For created light we thank thee, while thine ordered seasons run. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, dark as night and deep as death. Broke the light of thy salvation, breathed thine own life-giving breath. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end! Thy strong word bespeaks us righteous, bright with thine own holiness. Glorious now, we press toward glory, and our lives our hopes confess. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end! From the cross thy wisdom shining, breaketh forth in conquering might. From the cross forever beameth, all thy bright redeeming light. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end! Give us lips to sing thy m...

Here is an absolutely beautiful thing to remember , as written by Pastor Tom Johnson of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chicago. Tetelestai. This word has been found on ancient tax bills, business transactions, and sales receipts. Think of those rubber stamps you see that put the word "PAID" in red to bring closure to a bill or transaction. Tetelestai. “It is finished.” “Paid in full.” “All is accounted for.” “Case Closed.” He came to give His life a ransom for many. The ransom has been paid. The debt of sin against our heavenly Father has been wiped away. We owe God nothing now except our thanks and praise. If there ever was a time that Satan cried out in anguish, it is now. His defeat is secured. All his accusations are proved false once for all. Tell the world the good news: “It is Good Friday!” Our Lord has cried Tetelestai—“It is finished!”—from the cross. It happened on that hill called “the place of a skull”—Golgotha—Calvary. The skull is a picture of death—unrecov...

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" I don't think I will ever forget my stop at a rest area just north of Springfield in 1989. I was on my way home, I think from California, but maybe just from southern Illinois -- the exact time escapes me, it's been so long. Nonetheless, there were a lot of people in that rest area that day. I remember the weather was quite nice; the sun was bright. I was a very tired from driving, which is why I think I was coming from California on my last trip home, so I had stopped to walk. As I started walking back toward my car, I saw an Illinois state trooper pull up. The trooper got out, along with a disheveled-looking man. The guy had long hair and a beard. He was at least 6 feet tall. He was wearing a brown trench coat and very dirty clothes. Yes, he was scary looking, and he stopped me to ask for a ride. My mind started racing. "I am going just a few miles up the road," I blurte...

Leo Kottke is easily my favorite guitar player. I got to see him in concert once, in the late 80s at a club in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Here, he plays one of my favorite Bach tunes, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire" on 12-string guitar in 1977.

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. The theme just keeps calling to me. Believe the Word. Believe, and allow God to produce the most incredible crop. Today, as you can see, I heard the message in Luke 8, where Jesus recounts the parable about the planter casting seed. This parable is easy to understand, becau...

Here is an excellent post from a LCMS pastor ... Before I begin, I will lay out some parameters for my position. I will not be arguing against homosexuality. I will not be arguing in favor of heterosexual relationships. I will not be arguing using the Bible or talking about God’s love or God’s purpose. In short, I will not here be making a religious argument as so many think of religious arguments. I will argue from reason, pure and simple. However, as optimistic as I am that reason will convince the reasonable, I am also sure that it will harden the unreasonable. Not because they do not agree or can’t see the reason, but because they will think they are being discriminated against. Read the full post  He expanded on the argument here ...

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. I have Christian friends who don't believe the Word of God. Do you believe? Think about that for a minute. Do you believe in God? Do you really believe the Word is from God? Do you believe the Word was God? Do you believe the Word was with God? (John 1:1-5). And that the Word became flesh? (John 1:14) Some people who call themselves Christians, don't believe. If they don't receive the word of God, if they say it is from men, that it is a human word, not the Word of God, then how can they call themselves Christian? It seems to me that is one of the points Paul is driving home in 1 Thessalonians 2:13. It is important because, what do we have without the Word of God? What we have are heresies taught by false prophets and greedy teachers. "We ar...

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. I have been seeing this a lot of my readings of late. Watch out, Paul shouts, again. Watch out for the Judaizers! (Gal. 2:4) Watch out for the Pharisees! (Phil. 3:5) Watch out for the Gnostics! Watch out for the false teachers! (2 Cor. 11:4). Watch out! Don't be deceived. There is only one path to heaven, Paul is reminding us, again. And that is, Jesus (Col. 1:13-14). Christ lived for you! Christ died for you! And now, Christ lives for you! That's right, Christ LIVES for you! Jesus was dead (John 19:33-34). He was rotting in the grave (John 19:42). But now he is alive (John 20:27). The Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8), the creator of the world (Col. 1:16, Gen. 1:1), the Living Word, who was with God and was God (John 1:1-2), was dead but is now alive, and most importantly, lives in you (Col....

This is the title track from a magnificent album by the Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony.

The Heritage Foundation has published an excellent report on marriage , asking what it is and why it matters, and then explaining the consequences of redefining it. Now, before you get all bent of of shape by the Heritage Foundation's conservative credentials, make sure you read it. It makes an outstanding argument backed by facts from across the political spectrum and without using religion. Here are the key points Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces. Marriage is based on the truth that men and women are complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the reality that children need both a mother and a father. Marriage is society’s least restrictive means of ensuring the well-being of children. Marital breakdown weakens civil society and limited government. Government recognizes marriage because it benefits society in a way that no...

Hat tip to @balding_pastor for pointing me to this incredibly beautiful song by Michael Card. Is not He who formed the ear Worth the time it takes to hear? Should He who formed our lips for speaking Be not heeded when He speaks? Will you not listen? Why won't you listen? God has spoken love to us Why will you not listen? Listen to the sacred silence Listen to the Holy Word Listen as He speaks through living Parables that must be heard Parables that must be heard Will you not listen? Why won't you listen? God has spoken peace to us Why will you not listen? Why will you not listen? He spoke a word of flesh and blood Flesh and blood that bled and died Bled and died just to be heard How could you not hear this Word? Why will you not hear this Word? Will you not listen? Why won't you listen? God has spoken hope to us How could you not listen? Why will you not listen? How could you not listen?

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. Too many people have the wrong idea about what it means to be a Christian. The Bible, they say, is too negative, with all those lists of don't do this and don't do that, and if you do this then you are sure to burn in hell. Even people who try to highlight the good things of Christianity get it wrong. Now, I didn't spend but a minute googling the "wrong view of Christianity," but the first place I landed was this list from ChrismaNews called " What's Right and Wrong With American Christianity ." The author starts off by listing only eight things American Christians have done "right," then provides 12 they have done "wrong." An...

Hymnoglypt has another beautiful translation of a Reformation era Latin hymn. Here are the first two of nine verses.  Check out the complete translation , along with music notation and original words here. 1. T HE LIGHT whose brightness passes far The beauty both of sun and star, With stripes disfigured, hangs His head Upon the cross, and God is dead. 2. The Lord who gives His creatures breath, And life to those who lie in death, With arms the crossbeam spanning wide, Between the thieves is crucified.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received  it, and it will be yours. I understand why some people don't believe. When they ask and don't receive, well, things don't always turn out the way they think God works. ... Or at least they think they ask. Or they ask without believing. Or they ask for something completely ridiculous, as if to test God. And then, when they don't receive, they try to blame it on Him. But Jesus' words here are clear. "Whatever you ask in prayers, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." I can testify that I believe, I ask, and I receive. I have never tried to move a mountain. But I still believe. Wait, I take that back. I did try to move a mountain, or maybe it was a tree, whatever. And it didn't move. But you know, Jesus was clear ... you need to believe that you have received it, too. I know now I didn't believe I had received it. But that doesn't mean God do...

This is absolutely a horrific story. A jury weighing murder charges against a Philadelphia abortion provider heard grim testimony about unorthodox procedures used on inner-city clinic patients. Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 72, faces the death penalty if convicted of killing seven late-term babies after they were born alive. He is also charged with third-degree murder in the overdose death of a 41-year-old refugee who sought an abortion in 2009. Medical assistant Adrienne Moton admitted Tuesday that she had cut the necks of at least 10 babies after they were delivered, as Gosnell had instructed her. Gosnell and another employee regularly "snipped" the spines "to ensure fetal demise," she said. Moton sobbed as she recalled taking a cellphone photograph of one baby because he was bigger than any she had seen aborted before. She measured the fetus at nearly 30 weeks, and thought he could have survived, given his size and pinkish color. Gosnell la...

Pastor Peters of Pastoral Meanderings has another excellent post, this time on the real presence of God. He is nailing this one. While it's true that 1 Corinthians 6:9 tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Peters reminds us that God is quite literally with us every time we worship, in the Eucharist, in the waters of baptism, in the Living Word. God is alive and real. And too often we dance around this fact, especially with our children. When we speak about God as an idea, as a feeling, as a presence on the plane that does not intersect our reality, we tell them God is not real.  They beg to know where God is.  Thankfully, the liturgy points them where our witness has failed them.  Watch their eyes follow  the words and actions of the Divine Service.  They are taking seriously what we take casually.  They look to us to see if we will confirm what the words and actions of the liturgy say... sadly, the answer too often is no....

No need for commentary on this today. I re-discovered Psalm 84 again, and well, it sang to me. Enjoy! How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a ...

She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. My wife often reminds me that there is no such thing as coincidence. That may be, but today, I enjoyed the coincidence in my study. Every day, after reading, I like to find one or two verses, sometimes three, to post on Facebook. Today, I chose the passage above. For my journal here, I had thought I might write about Jesus either silencing demons or telling the people he had just healed not to spread the news. But as I was studying my "Called by the Gospel" book, I was reminded of an interesting contrast ... the disciples, especially in Mark's text, just don't get it. But the Canaanites, the Samaritans, the Romans, the sinners do. Mark's portrayal of the disciples is most unflatteri...

Athanasian Creed Whoever wants to be saved should above all cling to the catholic faith. Whoever does not guard it whole and inviolable will doubtless perish eternally. Now this is the catholic faith: We worship one God in trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the divine being. For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Spirit is still another. But the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory, co-eternal in majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and so is the Holy Spirit. Uncreated is the Father; uncreated is the Son; uncreated is the Spirit. The Father is infinite; the Son is infinite; the Holy Spirit is infinite. Eternal is the Father; eternal is the Son; eternal is the Spirit: And yet there are not three eternal beings, but one who is eternal; as there are not three uncreated and unlimited beings, but one who is uncreated and unlimited. Almighty is the Father; almighty is the...

My wife and I got to see the Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony perform in a free concert at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria a year ago. While this piece wasn't included in the lineup, the Eric Whitacre masterpiece "Cloudburst" was. Nonetheless, Concordia has a masterful symphony. If you get a chance to see Concordia perform, don't miss it. Until then, enjoy "October," as directed by Dr. Richard Fischer.

"Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What, therefore, God has joined together, let not man separate." This is not the first time we have seen statistics like this: Cohabiting couples were nearly eight times more likely to separate due to discord than married couples in the first year of a relationship. Cohabiting couples were nearly four times more likely to separate in the second year, and three times more likely to separate in the third year. Cohabiting couples had a separation rate five times that of married couples, and following separation, cohabiting couples had a rate of reconciliation that was one-third that of married couples. Unfortunately, too many people try to tell us it's OK. More unfortunately, too many people in our churches...

Jesus, I will ponder now / On thy holy passion / with thy Spirit me endow / for such meditation. / Grant that I in love and faith / may thy image cherish / of thy suffering, pain, and death / that I may not perish. Make me see thy great distress / anguish, and affliction / bonds and stripes and wretchedness / and thy crucifixion / Make me see how scourge and rod / spear and nails did wound thee / How for man thou diedst, O god / who with thorns had crowned thee. Yet, O Lord, not thus alone / Make me see thy passion / but its cause to me make known / and its termination. / Ah! I also and my sin / wrought thy deep affliction / This indeed the cause hath been / of thy crucifixion. Grant that I thy passion view / with repentent grieving / nor thee crucify anew / by unholy living. / How could I refuse to shun / every sinful pleasure / since for me God's only Son / suffered without measure. If my sins give me alarm / and my conscience grieve me / let thy cross my fear disarm /...

Wise words from the Rev. Peters at Pastoral Meanderings The Church has a future.  The sect does not.  When we demand what we want when we want it, we act like a sect.  The Church has a future.  Not because we say so or because we believe it.  Because the Lord has said that the Church is His and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her.  God is faithful.  God will do it.  This has to be in, with, and under who we are as clergy and lay leaders of the Church and we must believe this first and foremost -- even as we labor to speak the Truth in love to the places, people, and perspectives that would shift the work of the Kingdom from the firm foundation of faithful confession, secure in the means of grace, and the faithful practice that flows from such confession. Make sure you read the whole post. It's well worth it.

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.  I meant to include this a couple days ago in my posting on 1 Corinthians 6. In the book "Called by the Gospel: An Introduction to the New Testament," the authors highlighted a terrific story recounted in "Martin Luther: Heretic," a BBC production in 1984. During class at Wittenberg University, Dr. Luther, had this conversation with a student: Man can do nothing about his sinfulness? the student asked. Yes, Luther says. God is to do everything? Yes, Luther replies. Then I may do as I please? I can sin as much as I want? It makes no difference? Yes, you may do as you please, Luther replies. Now tell me, what pleases you? ... Imagine it. No more laws. No more punishments. What do you do? Drink yourself senseless? Make faces at the Duke? Spend the rest of the week in a whorehouse? If you are a good ...

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. Read it again. Take pause. Now believe it. Thankfully, recent polls seem to show that an extreme majority of Americans actually believe Jesus was resurrected from death. Just last year, the Tulsa World reported that a 2010 Rasmussen Reports survey found that 78 percent of Americans believe Christ was raised from the dead, 10 percent don't believe it and 11 percent aren't sure. And a 2009 Harris poll put belief in the Resurrection at 70 percent. But those numbers...

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  It's easy to get stuck on that first verse. Neither the sexually immoral, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality ... will inherit the kingdom of God. Paul doesn't mince his words, does he? The sexually immoral are destined for hell, we like to say. God has a special place for men who practice homosexuality, we like to say. Make no mistake, the words are black and white. But don't stop there. Neither the idolaters, nor the thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. God is talking to me. God is talking to you. So you have neve...

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (ESV) What a beautiful set of verses these are: I have been meditating on them all day. I don't think I have great insight personally, but I love the meter and the choice of words here. I think Paul couldn't help but see the wise saying it is foolish to believe that Jesus rose from the dead, that the powerful may say Jesus showed weakness in not defending himself against unjust accusations. Only the strong survive, the wise say; only a fool would not defend himself, the strong would say. "Are you not going to answer?...

O darkest woe! Ye tears, forth flow! Has earth so sad a wonder? God the Father's only Son Now is buried yonder. O sorrow dread! God's Son is dead! But by His expiation Of our guilt upon the cross Gained for us salvation. O sinful man! It was the ban Of death on thee that brought Him Down to suffer for thy sins And such woe hath wrought Him. Lo, stained with blood, The Lamb of God, The Bridegroom, lies before thee, Pouring out His life that He May life restore thee. O Ground of faith, Laid low in death. Sweet lips. now silent sleeping! Surely all that live must mourn Here with bitter weeping. Oh. blest shall be Eternally Who oft in faith will ponder Why the glorious Prince of Life Should be buried yonder. O Jesus blest, My Help and Rest With tears I now entreat Thee: Make me love Thee to the last, Till in heaven I greet Thee! Hat trip to the Rev. Peters, on his blog Pastoral Meanderings , for pointing me to this Bach hymn.

I have never seen the Northern Lights. Hopefully, someday I will. The photo above was captured by photographer Frank Olsen in Norway. Whenever I see photos like this, I can't help but marvel at God's creation, which, today, drew me to Job 26.   Then Job replied: 2  “How you have helped the powerless!      How you have saved the arm that is feeble! 3  What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!      And what great insight you have displayed! 4  Who has helped you utter these words?      And whose spirit spoke from your mouth? 5  “The dead are in deep anguish,      those beneath the waters and all that live in them. 6  The realm of the dead is naked before God;      Destruction lies uncovered. 7  He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;      he suspends the earth over nothing. 8  He wraps ...

I am not fit to challenge any theological thought in this post by the Rev. Jay Watson. But it is an interesting argument, and I would love to hear a challenge to it, particularly from others in the LCMS. MEGALUNEI : JESUS IS THE ATONEMENT While at the annual CTS (Concordia Theological Seminary) symposia last month in Fort Wayne, IN. I was privileged to sit in on and observe an interesting and exciting theological debate.   Part of the fun from attending a conference like this comes, not only from the organized lectures and panels, but from the ad hoc discussions and arguments that take place after-hours over cigars, beer, and single-malt. One of my dear friends, I don’t want to give away his identity without first asking permission (which I’m too lazy to do J ), so...I'll call him Father Hatething , the Bishop of Oychanting, Arkansas, was arguing with two “famous” editors of the Gottesdienst journal (call them "Pernell" and "Johann" ).   My frie...

I am not going to steal all of Father Watson's thu nder on this one. He came up with the top 10 mondo cool na mes not to name your new Lutheran Parish. Make sure you check out his post for the funn y commentary on the names. 10.   SAINT RAPHAEL Lutheran Church  9.   SAINTS APOLLINARIS OF HIRAPOLIS & EPIPHANIUS OF SALAMIS Lutheran Church  8.   SAINT ELMO LUTHERAN CHURCH  7.   SAINTS HOGLAH, GOMER & DORCAS Lutheran Church  6.   SAINT POLYCARP Lutheran Church  5.   SAINT JUDAS…NOT ISCARIOT Lutheran Church  4.   SAINT MARTINI & OLIVES Lutheran Church   3.   SAINT EUTYCHUS Lutheran Church  2.   SAINT CARL VEHSE Lutheran Church  MEGALUNEI: A New Fr. Watson TOP TEN (oh joy)

The biggest thing that Evangelicals can learn from Catholics is how to worship … liturgy, when celebrated reverently, can also give worshipers a connection to the sacred that is just not available through the type of worship service … in Evangelical churches. Read the full article  This is simply an excellent article, although it doesn't really explain the essential nature of how Christ is present in the liturgy, through the means of grace. 

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Jesus died for you. Did you catch that, Christian? You are ungodly. Just like me. No one is righteous in God's sight (Psalm 14:3); that makes us ungodly. You are a sinner. I am a sinner (1 John 1:8). That makes us ungodly. It's a difficult truth to face. I have to tell you, it's even more difficult when you have a 4-year-old daughter like we do. Nora is so sweet. She talks with God. She started saying the Lord's prayer during church when she was 2. She remembers her friends in some of the most amazing ways, and then prays for them. Last Wednesday, during a midweek Bible study our church calls Oasis, Nora's class had an interactive lesson in which the teacher presented the children a problem, and they would respond with a solution. On the last one, one of the children was given a beach ball, and the teacher says, "I don't have any friends." Nora quietly looks...

"a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever ... Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire!" -- Martin Luther in his introduction to Romans

Check out Fort Wayne Professor Pless' post Fanaticism is Not the Answer ... The New Testament bids us be “sober-minded” (1 Tim 3:11; 2 Tim 4:5; 1 Pet 1:13; 1 Pet 4:7). Rather than becoming intoxicated with a fanaticism to the left or the right, we pray the Lord would give us minds of discernment rooted and grounded in the Holy Scriptures that do not overlook or brush aside the real threat of which the Newtown prayer vigil was a symptom of, namely, the pluralism of American civil religion that requires an even more stringent “no” to unionism and syncretism of every stripe. Indeed, it is for the sake of witness in the public square that we will decline to worship there. Fanaticism is never the answer; faithfulness is. 

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:10-12 I don't see how Jesus could be more clear in Matthew of what will happen when judgement day comes. Six times Jesus warns us in crystal clear terms (Matt 13:42, Matt 13:49-50, Matt 22:13, Matt 24:51 and Matt 25:30) Believe in me, he is declaring. Believe in me, or on judgement day you will be left out in the cold, in the dark, separated from God, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. That last phrase is an unusual one, especially today. But it means a show of anger or dismay, and it's especially directed at the Jews, God...

I will start by first acknowledging I don't watch TV. Actually, I do, but it might be limited to a couple hours a week, literally. But I do watch enough to know this series was coming. Now that the reviews are coming out, well, I am glad I am missing the show. Here is one Lutheran pastor's take on what he calls the 10 plagues of the series so far : 10. Follow the Source 9. The "Spirit" of the Book 8. The Devil is in the Details 7. Theism 6. Passing over the Passover 5. Promises, Promises 4. The Long Arm of the Law Cut Short 3. A Famine of the Gospel 2. Computer Graphics are Cool, but They're Not the Gospel 1. THE BIBLE is not The Bible. Cyberbrethen by the Rev. Paul McClain also has interesting commentary on "The Bible" and the Rev. Sam Schuldheisz 's post above. “Call me a skeptic, but when The History Channel started it’s advertising campaign weeks ago for their latest mini-series THE BIBLE , I knew right away what was going to ...

There was a time, not long ago, that sex was not the subject of public conversation. Of course, if you turn on the television today, you know that isn't the case today. But don't you dare talk about religion in public! Here's the Rev. Peters take on Between consenting adults. . .

NASA Finds a Space Invader If there is life out there, I think we will need to change the words of a favorite hymn. Go tell it on the planets, past the stars and everywhere. Go tell it on the planets, that Jesus Christ was born!

What goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean; it is what comes out of the mouth that makes him unclean. What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a person. For from the heart comes evil intentions: murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander. These are the things that make a man unclean. As I was doing my reading this morning, this passage jumped out at me, and I actually thought about writing on it today. Alas, the Rev. Paul McClain also beat me to it on Cyberbrethren: Put Up a Guard at the Door of My Lips! Thoughts on the Eighth Commandment

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher,  we wish to see a sign from you." I couldn't help but smile when I read this verse today. I just began another 60-day read-through of the New Testament a couple days ago; so today I was reading chapters 9 through 12. I note that only because Chapter 9, in particular, are filled with signs. Then we come to Matt 12:38. "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you," the NIV says.  Really? Jesus responds. A miraculous sign? Really? OK, that's my version of what he said, but you should get the picture. Hear the words: But so that you know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ..." then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." Matt 9:6  Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Matt 9:22  After the crowd had been put o...