tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.comments2023-10-16T08:12:13.145-05:00Four and Twenty+ BlackbirdsRev. Rick Stuckwischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10664716292792101540noreply@blogger.comBlogger2549125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-90826118890022548152021-02-09T03:27:19.592-06:002021-02-09T03:27:19.592-06:00I know you have been scammed before or you’re scar...I know you have been scammed before or you’re scared to join the Illuminati brotherhood due to the conspiracy theories about it. Today comes with a good news for you, I want you to know that you won’t kill human being to join or will you be asked to pay for Registration fee.<br />What’s needed of you is Maturity, faithfulness and honesty. Once you have those examples, I guarantee you that the Lord Grand Master will accept you as a member of the Illuminati brotherhood.<br />Before I successfully joined the Illuminati brotherhood, I was twice scammed by fake people until I met Agent Randy from Illuminati brotherhood in Washington DC, United States online +1 (202) 750-0111 and he helped me to be a proud member of the Illuminati brotherhood. Search no more for help, just send an email to the initiationhoodofilluminate@gmail.com or you can call, text or WhatsApp +1 (202) 750-0111 and you’ll testify to the world also as I does now. Don’t forget that Registration fee is not needed to join Illuminati<br />Jeffrey Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920447849503360851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-14675339869152149022019-12-30T01:25:26.959-06:002019-12-30T01:25:26.959-06:00Wow thats very wonderful I actually have detected ...Wow thats very wonderful I actually have detected a replacement app this app <a href="https://healtheals.com/dean-toriumi-reviews-when-is-rhinoplasty-a-good-idea/" rel="nofollow">best rhinoplasty surgeon</a> is nice and that i have started viewing it.Thanks for the assistance and suggesting the matter i'll travel with it.Keep business and writing new article.<br />Lilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15473174070943861361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-28795410767862313912018-12-27T04:28:10.840-06:002018-12-27T04:28:10.840-06:00St Paul states women are to be silent in the churc...St Paul states women are to be silent in the churches. I wish we could end this feminist movement and just go by the Scriptures. It wasn't done before the 60s and Luther never did it. What makes some think they now know more than Dr Luther or St Paul? The slippery slope always invites the Devil into the Church or home. Markmedsurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04247022586660894380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-81737293197302479552016-06-16T00:05:38.986-05:002016-06-16T00:05:38.986-05:00Are our pastors telling us the truth?
Are Christi...Are our pastors telling us the truth?<br /><br />Are Christian pastors honest with their congregations regarding the evidence for the Resurrection? Is there really a "mountain of evidence" for the Resurrection as our pastors claim or is the belief in the Resurrection based on nothing more than assumptions, second century hearsay, superstitions, and giant leaps of faith?<br /><br />Check out this Lutheran pastor's defense of the Resurrection and a review by one of his former parishioners who lost his faith and is now an nonbeliever primarily due to the lack of good evidence for the Resurrection:<br /><br />http://www.lutherwasnotbornagain.com/2016/06/a-review-of-lcms-pastor-john-bombaros.htmlGaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-48540188430883902222016-06-15T18:07:17.940-05:002016-06-15T18:07:17.940-05:00Are our pastors telling us the truth?
Are Christi...Are our pastors telling us the truth?<br /><br />Are Christian pastors honest with their congregations regarding the evidence for the Resurrection? Is there really a "mountain of evidence" for the Resurrection as our pastors claim or is the belief in the Resurrection based on nothing more than assumptions, second century hearsay, superstitions, and giant leaps of faith?<br /><br />Check out this Lutheran pastor's defense of the Resurrection and a review by one of his former parishioners who lost his faith and is now an nonbeliever primarily due to the lack of good evidence for the Resurrection:<br /><br />http://www.lutherwasnotbornagain.com/2016/06/a-review-of-lcms-pastor-john-bombaros.html<br />Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-41258805624374749442015-11-06T11:52:17.084-06:002015-11-06T11:52:17.084-06:00A study of the Exodus shows the difference between...A study of the Exodus shows the difference between God's way and fallen mankind's way, between sacred and secular. God takes what is secular and makes it sacred by brining it into His use according to His pattern. Fallen man takes what is sacred and makes it secular by bringing it into man's use according to man's pattern. So God takes wood and gold, hides and tapestries and builds an earthly pattern of the heavenly tabernacle. And while God is dictating this sacred use of the secular to Moses, the Israelites under Aaron's supervision are busy taking the sacred name (reputation) of the LORD and placing it on an object they themselves have made to fit with the worship of manmade culture. Establishing the secular within the sacred (making the sacred secular) in order to make the sacred more appealing to fallen mankind is the same symptom of the same disease showing itself in yet another generation: Corrupt and obstinate, slow to learn and heed the lessons of those who have gone before. It is to dress up the Bride of Christ in the clothes of a Harlot. Christ continues to call out: "Whoever is for the Lord, come to Me. Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plague."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02283163210026594610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-4310513211843849202015-08-13T17:52:30.685-05:002015-08-13T17:52:30.685-05:00Thank you for your contribution, Pr. Frahm. I loo...Thank you for your contribution, Pr. Frahm. I look forward to reading what you've written and considering it carefully.Rev. Rick Stuckwischhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10664716292792101540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-13857212226445915362014-05-15T06:52:27.941-05:002014-05-15T06:52:27.941-05:00Thank you! A great encouragement, as I prepare to ...Thank you! A great encouragement, as I prepare to preach again this Sunday. Last year I dodged John 16 and preached on James 1, for the same reason you used to transfer Ascension.Tapani Simojokihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06050897388566829272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-75705703694828875152013-12-17T09:53:57.426-06:002013-12-17T09:53:57.426-06:00Thanks for tracking down the source, much apprecia...Thanks for tracking down the source, much appreciated :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-87110301227306051622013-12-17T09:53:09.711-06:002013-12-17T09:53:09.711-06:00Thanks for tracking down the source for this quote...Thanks for tracking down the source for this quote! Much appreciated :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-47133480682874292942013-11-30T20:09:52.997-06:002013-11-30T20:09:52.997-06:00I have specialized in clergy tax for over twenty y...I have specialized in clergy tax for over twenty years. I have many clients from all over the world (I also specialize in missionary tax). Our firm in very reasonably priced. We also encourage any questions from the Church accountant or treasurer. Hartley Tax and AccountingUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666283790628097080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-71662915699395362452013-09-24T16:30:17.420-05:002013-09-24T16:30:17.420-05:00Teaching a class on this tomorrow night. Thanks fo...Teaching a class on this tomorrow night. Thanks for posting the paper Rick!Rev. David A. Kindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12283853641391191068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-63517659492712915852013-09-24T15:21:25.097-05:002013-09-24T15:21:25.097-05:00Indeed, Susan. And we are told to look at it agai...Indeed, Susan. And we are told to look at it again, and again, and again, every morning and evening, and to share it daily with our children, etc.<br /><br />But, sometimes, there's just a lot said, and more than one needs to say in a single sermon. That's often me. I know it, and regret it, and I work to avoid it. But repetition in itself, or redundancy, as one might say, is not always a bad thing; the mother of learning, and all that, and the heart of catechesis.<br /><br />I worry when I hear people disparage the repetition of that which is the basic apostolic kerygma, as though it had already served its purpose and was now better off laid aside.Rev. Rick Stuckwischhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10664716292792101540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-77959984894307338632013-09-24T15:12:57.649-05:002013-09-24T15:12:57.649-05:00Uh ... there's a lot to be said for redundancy...Uh ... there's a lot to be said for redundancy. (Look at the Torah, for instance.)<br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16307213773466556564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-37100351726197641502013-09-24T11:41:16.447-05:002013-09-24T11:41:16.447-05:00I've heard various people make dogmatic assert...I've heard various people make dogmatic assertions that anything over twelve minutes is worthless and wasted. I'm always bemused by such comments, because it seems a shame that Moses and the Prophets, Christ and His Apostles wasted so many words. Of course, none of us is Christ; nor are any of us Prophets and Apostles. But, so far as I have been able to tell, the early church fathers and the Lutheran reformers did not abide by this time limit, either. They were preaching to a different culture, day and age, so maybe that's the reason for the change; but I don't know how that's any different than the typical arguments in favor of "church growth" "creative worship."<br /><br />I've heard others decry short sermons, too, and insist that a sermon has to be twenty minutes or so to do the job. I don't buy that line of reasoning any better than the notion of a twelve-minute limit. A long sermon may be redundant, like most of mine are, and a short sermon may be inadequate in some aspect or other; but it isn't necessary the case. Evaluating sermons on the basis of length is as wrong-headed as determining worthiness and readiness for the Sacrament on the basis of age (whether it by high, low, or in between). Repentance and faith are not measured with a stop watch or a calendar, but are granted by the Word and Spirit of God, where and when it pleases Him, in those who hear the Gospel.<br /><br />I do believe that rhetorical skill and careful craftsmanship are appropriate to sermon writing; not for their own sake, nor for the sake of the preacher's popularity, but for the sake of clarity in the preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Thank God that He causes that Word to be proclaimed and heard, in spite of the frailty of His messengers.Rev. Rick Stuckwischhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10664716292792101540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-22319963877417864122013-09-20T17:46:19.333-05:002013-09-20T17:46:19.333-05:00Sorry, forgot the titles and all.
Rev. George Nay...Sorry, forgot the titles and all.<br /><br />Rev. George Naylor<br />Mt. Calvary-Bayard, NE Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16501327753737422337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-8020835520906025992013-09-20T17:45:27.781-05:002013-09-20T17:45:27.781-05:00And I thank you for sending me this paper several ...And I thank you for sending me this paper several years ago, Pr. Sawyer. It was very helpful in getting me to think about the issue and actually more carefully reading what our Confessions said on the matter and also what Dr. Luther & Gerhard said.<br /><br />The clincher in moving me to accept the perpetual virginity and clauso utero was exactly what you point out here, that is, what it ultimately confesses about Christ. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16501327753737422337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-33367116125620964322013-07-16T10:49:07.332-05:002013-07-16T10:49:07.332-05:00Timely and absolutely wonderful article!!! Thank ...Timely and absolutely wonderful article!!! Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590715133024639708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-86122657513549472312013-02-27T18:24:21.524-06:002013-02-27T18:24:21.524-06:00We are not without the counsel of the Fathers.
I...We are not without the counsel of the Fathers. <br /><br />I suggest Nikolaus of Myra as a fellow from whom a good pastoral example may be drawn in defending the life and liberty of one's flock.<br /><br />James Dale Wilson, North Bend, OrygunAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-41750867848578134112013-02-22T13:52:39.787-06:002013-02-22T13:52:39.787-06:00"I would never be able to get it out from und...<i>"I would never be able to get it out from under my chasuble and alb anyway"</i><br /><br />Two words: <a href="http://www.lonestarhandgun.com/Lib/Images/holster_ah1.jpg" rel="nofollow">ankle holster</a>.Carl Vehsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00348831096001668813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-70666334041633038482013-02-20T17:28:27.065-06:002013-02-20T17:28:27.065-06:00I can, of course, only speak for myself. But I can...I can, of course, only speak for myself. But I cannot imagine standing at the Holy Altar distributing the Body and Blood of Christ with a pistol in a shoulder holster (I would never be able to get it out from under my chasuble and alb anyway). If a cop or a retired cop attends Services with a weapon, so be it. But no, not me. I am a public preacher of the Gospel, not a public enforcer of the Law.Pastor Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04675820871512485953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-39507779486314770872013-02-20T17:24:42.088-06:002013-02-20T17:24:42.088-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Pastor Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04675820871512485953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-91831698490560624432013-01-29T13:18:09.854-06:002013-01-29T13:18:09.854-06:00What is the Lutheran rite for the churching of a m...What is the Lutheran rite for the churching of a mother and the presentation of her baby on the fortieth day of her uncleanness after giving birth? Do you know, have you ever used it? Do you present male babies differently than you present female babies? If I go to your churches will I hear the voice of women, and will I see female heads covered to emphasize that she is not the head.<br /><br />Do you dismiss, ita, dismissus est, the catecumens when you go from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Sacrament? Do you have a sacristan whose purview is the altar. The prediger/preacher does not get involved in altar prep stuff, the sacristan/sexton does it. <br /><br />I think you could use male catecumens to do service in the service of the Word, but even then, we should not be using "new learners" at the altar. The day after confirmation, the newly confirmed males will meet with the sacristan and the older altar crew, and be welcomed to altar service in both Word and Sacrament liturgies. The altar crew should be in the middle or late teens. No little toddlers walking around with electric light torches (at every Roman church everywhere).<br /><br />A Christian woman is happy to do everthing she can to show that she is not the head. And, if you have nothing to do, I'm sure your churche's lay deconess program could keep you busy actually performing mercy all over your neighborhood, 24 hours a day. You know there is no limit to the needs of your neighbors and you are called to do mercy to all you see who need it. And, unlike the males, you don't have any sacredotal duties to get in the way, though serving your personal head in your husband, and running a household is no slouch job either and as Luther would say, a vocation you have and as holy as any other calling. You are called to be a toe, but some with that toe calling really want to be knees, so they are dissatisfied. You have the calling to grow new life and give it birth and to maintain it. I can't think of another calling more important. Men may be dissatisfied about that, but it will only frustrate them. Is your fussing about not having enough to do, really mean that you didn't have enough children, you still have plenty of energy, that's for another child, not for serving at the altar.<br /><br />When you get home, ask your husband or other male relative about this. You can attend the church meetings, you just may not speak in them.<br /><br />He who is unfaithful in a little, will be unfaithful in much. Mama teaches her daughter how to cover her head in church service. Mantillas are stunningly beautiful, and I saw it used in my local Lutheran church. But, no church still practices this, not Lutherans, not Romans, and not Orthodox, except in monestary churches, where a dress/skirt are also necessary along with the scarf that covers all but the face in the way it is worn. And it is not uncommon historically to separate the males and females during the Devine Service. At Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, the women attended services standing in the galleries only. Wendish Lutherans in Texas had the men in the galleries.<br /><br />Hindu women, especially middle-class and well married, observe purdah. They never leave the house, and never meet a strange man without their faces totally covered. And, where did the women sit in Synagogues? No where, it was men only. And they could only attend the women's court in the Jerusalem temple.<br /><br />And, just this morning you were praying that Jesus would give you more humility. Don't worry, the church has organized itself to help you have plenty of humility. More is expected of the men along with ugly consequences if they shirk their sacredotal duties. You don't want to go anywhere near that.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777514643611989502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-41103074365965888672013-01-28T08:54:36.958-06:002013-01-28T08:54:36.958-06:00FWIW this is not a high issue on my list. I think ...FWIW this is not a high issue on my list. I think I prefer male acolytes but since we have no abundance of males and many services to cover, I am not sure how it might work. That said, I do not think acolytes or the congregation see this service in a priestly context but more in line with a catechism duty. We use cassock and cotta (not exclusively priestly garb since these are also used by choir). All in all the one thing I note most of all is how confusion has reigned as the practices of the Synod have become so very diverse. Most contemporary worship settings use no acolytes and the service is largely unknown to their youth of both sexes. What is also interesting is that a shortage of youth of either sex for this role seems rather uniform. We have three each Sunday at each service and one at the mid-week services. Because of the larger number of services and the corresponding smaller number of youth available, we extend the service to an older age than most (well into high school) and this has provided the most salutary benefit of acolytes with stature, maturity, and piety demonstrating what some of our more youthful folk are learning. So this brings up another question. In addition to a choice between male or female acolytes, another issue is the age -- younger or older (or both)?Pastor Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627517209657132818.post-87782362394042856702013-01-02T15:48:45.771-06:002013-01-02T15:48:45.771-06:00I'm posting this for my good friend Kent, who ...I'm posting this for my good friend Kent, who can't satisfy the security protocols - Fr Jay Watson<br /><br />What a great and useful discussion! We had female acolytes here when I first came, but shortly thereafter, a very pious Episcopalian lady (who loved her church's liturgy and hated its liberalism) went through catechesis and joined our congregation. She remembered painfully well the progression from female acolytes to female ordained deacons, and then presbyters, and now bishops. It was for her a "camel's nose in the tent" sort of issue. It's not that I didn't think we could hold the line at female acolytes. We could. Many do. But I went to our junior confirmation classes and said, "Confirmation isn't just instruction in the doctrines of the church. It is teaching you the church's culture, and preparing you to participate in the life of the church. As adults, we will ask men to assist as ushers, and at the altar during the divine service. We will ask men to do altar guild things . not just setting up the altar, but also making banners and other adornments for the church. I have here a former Episcopalian lady who is very artistically gifted and knows her way around the liturgy and what's the "right" way to do things. She has volunteered to start a "Jr. Altar Guild" for you young ladies, while you young men will be expected to serve as acolytes."Everyone was satisfied with that. The girls weren't told they were "unimportant" or "didn't matter" or "were only to do the 'dirty' work." They got to help make banners! And they didn't have to be up in front of 'all those people' . . . and most were very happy about that! As alluded to earlier, adiaphora are things "neither commanded nor forbidden." But that's not the same as saying "matters of indifference." It is neither commanded nor forbidden that I wear vestments, or that I pick my nose when I preach. But clearly (forgive the crassness of the illustration) some adiaphora serve the Gospel better than others. In this matter also, I think service to the Gospel involves preparing children to serve in ways similar to what we will ask of them as adults.<br /> Fr. Kent A. Heimbigner<br />Jay Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13482261288019583877noreply@blogger.com