reformed by the gospel

Like a lightning bolt from heaven, the revelation of God's salvation in Jesus Christ comes down and does its thing, cutting sinners to the heart with the demands of the law, and then comforting and saving them by the power of the Gospel. That's what happened 500 years ago to a monk named Martin Luther, as he searched the Scriptures and discovered in the book of Romans that the righteousness of God was not something that he had to attain on his own by his own merit, but instead was a free gift from God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

"It is not we who build. Christ builds the church. No man builds the church but Christ alone. Whoever is minded to build the church is surely well on the way to destroying it; for he will build a temple to idols without wishing or knowing it. We must confess – he builds. We must proclaim – he builds. We must pray to him – that he may build.

We do not know his plans. We cannot see whether he is building or pulling down. It may be that the times which by human standards are times of collapse are for him the great times of construction. It may be that the times which from a human point of view are great times for the church are times when it is pulled down.

It is a great comfort which Christ gives to his church: you confess, preach, bear witness to me and I alone will build where it pleases me. Do not meddle in what is my province. Do what is given to you to do well and you have done enough. But do it well. Pay no heed to views and opinions. Don’t ask for judgments. Don’t always be calculating what will happen. Don’t always be on the lookout for another refuge! Church, stay a church! But church, confess, confess, confess! Christ alone is your Lord; from his grace alone can you live as you are. Christ builds."         -  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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happy birthday ferdinand

Yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of C.F.W. Walther, the first president of both Concordia Seminary and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Happy Birthday Ferdinand - and thanks for not giving up.
(ht - respublica)

pastor appreciation

(from the blog - We Are All Beggars)

There are many ways for a congregation to celebrate its pastor. A card, a gift, a special dinner.
These things are all well and good. But this is not how you really appreciate your pastor.
So how should you show that you appreciate your pastor? We'll get to that in a second.
First - why should a pastor be appreciated in the first place?

It’s not because he’s popular, has a good personality, or is a snappy dresser. It’s not because he’s great with kids or tells funny jokes. It’s not because he’s likable in any way. Even if you don't really like your pastor that much, you should still appreciate him.  Why? Because he’s the one who has been chosen to stand in the place of Christ for you. He’s Christ’s mouth for you, delivering the Holy Words of God in Law and Gospel. He’s Christ’s hands for you, delivering life, salvation, and the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament. You appreciate your pastor not because of who he is as an individual, but because of the office in which he stands.

So how should you show appreciation for your pastor?  By simply letting him do the things he is called to do. Go to Church. Go to Bible Study. Confess your sins to him and allow him to forgive you. Let your ears be filled with the Word of God and your mouths be filled with the Body and Blood of Christ. Receive what your Pastor is there to give you. Do this and your pastor will feel more appreciated than ever.

“For the gospel is not delivered unto us that we should thereby seek our own praise and glory, or that the people should honor and magnify us the ministers; but to the end that the benefit and glory of Christ might be preached, and that the Father might be glorified in his mercy offered unto us in Christ His Son, whom he delivered for us all, and with whom has given us all things.”

{Martin Luther - Commentary on Galatians}

occupy your church

occupy your local congregation this sunday in peaceful demonstration against greed, pride, lust, envy, and malice ... by confessing your sins and receiving god's forgiveness in jesus christ


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deutsch days in marthasville

making candles ...




the osage trail where craftsman, artisans, and native americans make, show, and sell their wares

the lucky winners of a handmade cherry wood table

from fear to faith in five verses

from fear to faith in five verses ....



all children of adam and eve are sinners - romans 3:23

penalty of sin is death and hell - romans 6:23

jesus christ paid the price for your sin - romans 5:8

through faith in him you are justified and have peace with god - romans 5:1

nothing can separate you from the love of god in jesus christ our lord - romans 8:39

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doorkeeper

The Doorkeeper
By John William Taylor

To keep God’s door – I am not fit.
I would not ask for more than this, to stand or sit upon the threshold of God’s House,
Out of the reach of sin, to open wide His door, to those who come,
To welcome home, His children and His poor.
To wait and watch the gladness on the face of those that are within.
Sometimes to catch a glimpse or trace of those I love the best,
And know that all I failed to be, and all I failed to do has not sufficed,
To bar them from the Tree of Life, the Paradise of God, the Face of Christ.


“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
(Psalm 84)



ht - internet monk

creation animation

top ten things needing to be reformed

Top 10 Things Needing to be Reformed in the Church   (in no particular order)


1. Altar Calls

2. The Sinner's Prayer

3. The Prosperity Gospel

4. The Word/Faith Movement

5. Maryolatry

6. Works Righteousness

7. Materialism

8. Nationalism

9. Individualism

10. Millenialism

dead sea scrolls now online