Happy 491st Reformation Day!

This evening was a special service, a German-style Mass (Deutsche Messe). About two hundred people gathered to sing Divine Service V in the LSB, complete with incense. How much better can you get? The sermon text was Romans 3:19-28; the other readings were Revelation 14:6-7 and John 8:31-36.

The Lutheran Church celebrates the three Solas - sola gratia (grace alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). Some would say we insist on them to a fault. But is this really hair-splitting? Can't we compromise and let a little of our own works into the equation for salvation?

No. Sola gratia compromised ceases to be grace at all (Romans 11:6). It's fatal to compromise in matters of faith - doing so in life (e.g. which show to watch) works, but in doctrine it doesn't. Keeping the "alone" leads to freedom and absolute certainty of salvation, something no other religion has. If salvation is by works, then works can never be enough. We can't even say the Lord's Prayer once without being distracted!

God wants us to have no worry; therefore He took care of our salvation Himself. It's there for you, free to accept. Don't compromise it.

Yes, this is exclusivism. I stand by it.

Trying to avoid politics II

Even if I look to today's Science Journal, politics is still there. I yearn for the times before mandatory biomedical ethics and genetic-ethics courses. But at least someone finally deals with that pesky accusation of non-Obama voters being racist.

Reformation (observed)

Readings for today: Revelation 14:6-7, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36 (sermon text).

Freedom is loved here in America. But do we know exactly what true freedom
is? Does it match John 8:36? Not usually! Some of us use "freedom" sinfully - an
excuse to perform our own wills - really hedonism. Or we think about "freedom
from _____ [usually 'responsibility']." However, the sense in which Jesus uses
"free" is different: Christians have freedom from sin (as Adam and Eve
originally did) and from the fear of death (as all believers after the
Crucifixion).

All who sin are slaves to sin. This comes from using "freedom" as a license
to sin. But God became flesh freely to atone for you and me.
Now, free, we can stand before God and fellow man as His servants. We're free to
serve God.

How are we to use this freedom? Rejoice in it! We Lutherans can celebrate
it today in the feast of the Reformation. What do we celebrate? The Gospel of
Jesus Christ, keeping Him as the center of all things. This is easier with our
Scripture-soaked liturgy and the Scripture-summarizing Catechism. This is our
heritage, reminding us of our true freedom in Christ.

I'll try to put together a post for Reformation Day too; there's a special service that evening.

It's...a duck!

I found a story in today's Daily Mail about a duck-shaped tomato. Even with the stickers for eyes, though, it's not as realistic as it could be. But it did make me think of this Monty Python video. Enjoy!

Nov. 2: In Britain, Latin has gone from being a dead language to merely an injured one.

For the biologically technical

Hopeful news first, depressing second.

Could there be a cure for the common cold (I'd welcome it right now! Fie on my immune system!) in the near future? Scientists investigating the immune response to it are hopeful.

In case you're not in the mood for viruses and proteins, how about bacilli and enzymes? Eleven babies in a British NICU have come down with a drug-resistant E. coli strain, two with fatal results. The particular strain is ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing), meaning that the bacteria produce an enzyme that breaks down the beta-lactam ring in certain antimicrobial drugs.

Pentecost 23

Today's readings were Isaiah 45:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, and Matthew 22:15-22 (sermon text).

"Show me the money!" Jesus uses this phrase to expose the Pharisees' hypocrisy. They had tried, along with a few detested Herodians, to set Him up. Their plan was perfect...or so it seemed. Jesus replied to their two-way question, "Show Me a coin" and "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

We can learn much about our lives as Christians from the text. We have a duty to both our secular leaders (left-hand kingdom, in Luther's terminology) and to our heavenly King (right-hand kingdom), even if those secular leaders disobey God. The Kingdom is not about overthrowing earthly kingdoms.

The left-hand kingdom is meant to be a blessing and respected. Paul tells us to pray for our leaders. Don't expect a military or political messiah as the Jews of Christ's time did! Rather, don't pit left-hand against right-hand. Be a good citizen of both, not of neither, as Jesus demonstrated. Don't look to your pastor to tell you "how would Jesus vote." The pulpit (right-hand) is not a soapbox (left-hand) for a particular political candidate. Sermons about the person and work of Jesus Christ - not about left-hand matters - lend true comfort and wisdom. Appreciate your membership in both kingdoms.

This is so hard to apply, especially with the upcoming election! Pray for wisdom for yourself.

Great lengths

In today's Daily Mail is an article describing a stick insect almost four feet long. Thankfully, it doesn't prey on humans.

Last week, a few of my colleagues on a monarch-butterfly hunt captured a giant praying mantis instead. Even bigger than this one, and much more fearsome.

More later...

Thank you #1

One year ago I began blogging here. Thank you, readers and commenters, who motivated me so that I'm still here, one year, 443 posts, and over 4,830 page views later. I've had visitors from all over the world - including Sweden, Singapore, and Bahrain - and a wonderful network of readers and friends.

No Compromise, thank you for our recent conversation about why we blog.

MK &co, ever since I stumbled across all of your blogs, you've been fountainheads of information.

The Stiletto was the first blog I read regularly. We share many interests, and I am very thankful she has taken to blogging more frequently!

Angel, you've always been supportive of me, even though we've never met. Keep it up!

Cheryl, from the SiteMeter statistics, it looks like you've checked up on me even while on vacation! Here's to many more years of your quality blogging as well.

To everyone else who's read, commented, or met me in person, thank you.

Pentecost 22

Readings: Psalm 23 (sermon text), Isaiah 25:6-9, Philippians 4:4-13, and Matthew 22:1-14.

God is chasing you, wanting something you don't want to give Him. He wants your full devotion and heart, not just the major part of it. We flee, unwilling to give our lives and souls and freedom to Him. But look at the Psalm - goodness and mercy will literally "pursue" you. He wants as well to remove our sin through this chase. Agents include Christian parents, longsuffering friends, praying strangers.

We are His people, and not our own. Even as His children, though, we forget the abundant gifts He gives. The world can cause us to doubt the existence and presence of the love of Jesus. Has He moved on? No, says faith. Our hope lasts forever and is absolutely certain that He is with us as individuals! That changes us from a worldly, hopeless viewpoint. We see the chase differently.

God's hounding, perfect love drives all fear out of us. No enemy cannot be banished by Christ's rod and staff. "Do not fear; I have overcome." He is with us forever, walking with and carrying us. Such a good Shepherd would never abandon His beloved sheep. In addition, He is the active agent in the Psalm - He leads, walks alongside, and pursues me! He came to give us abundant, strong, overflowing life, the fruits of faith. Therefore nourish yourself on the life-giving, forgiving Word of God, Christ Jesus. Then, as you walk on the "paths [lit. wagon-tracks, very visible and straight] of righteousness," you will be surely guided toward heaven.

All my American readers in particular, thank God for guiding Columbus this day as well.

Responsibility

Exhibit A: Another reason to cut down on Starbucks - they're definitely doing their part to help the environment. NOT. But Daily Mail does show both sides of the story.

Exhibit B: Andrew Lloyd Webber aims to teach his children fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately, he could improve in the 6th-Commandment responsibility area.

Pentecost 21

Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:4b-14 (primary sermon text), and Matthew 21:33-46.

Sour grapes are what we end up acting like when we don't measure up to the Epistle's runner metaphor. The vineyard's owner is responsible for righting these things. God, the Owner of our souls, expected good fruit from His superbly-tended vineyard. What a sad "song of the vineyard" the OT reading turned out to be. It's even sadder when we realize that WE, too, are lazy, indifferent vines to blame for sour fruit. Therefore we should take to heart the awful law of God proclaimed in the text.

Yet we should also listen to the Gospel reading - a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. Isaiah had been one of the servants sent to the vineyard. Finally, the Son - God's last appeal - was sent. Even though He is worthy of all respect and praise, He was shunned, crucified, and buried. But listen further - how was this turn of events "marvelous in our eyes"? Why did Jesus come to a willfully deaf world? Answer: He loves you and wanted to redeem you from sins that kill. The holy Son of God means forgiveness for us.

Therefore Paul says to "forget what lies behind" - sour grapes - and receive forgiveness from a God who remembers your sin no more.

Amen.