Patristic Quote of the Day

“There was,” he says, “an open door in heaven.” John sees the preaching of the New Testament, and it is said to to him, “Come up here.” When it is shown that the door was opened, it is clear that previously it had been closed to humankind. However, it was sufficiently and perfectly opened when Christ ascended in the body to the Father in heaven….And now he recalls that which had been fore-told in the law by means of similitudes, and through this Scripture he joins together all the previous prophets and opens the Scripture.—St. Victorious of Petovium. 

Luther

This is the first main point and most important article, that Christ is in the Father, that no one doubts, that what this Man says and does is and must be said and done in heaven before all the angels, in the world before all the tyrants, in hell before all the devils, and in the heart before all bad consciences and self-willed thoughts. For I am certain that what He says, thinks and wills, the Father also wills, I can brave all that is angry and evil.—Exposition of John xiv

Catechesis: Election

Holy Scripture also testifies that God, who has called us, is faithful. So when He has begun the good work in us, He will also preserve it to the end and perfect it, if we ourselves do not turn from Him, but firmly hold on to the work begun to the end. He has promised His grace for this very purpose. (See 1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 3:2).—FC SD XI:32

Ascension Day 2022…

During the prelude, I believe I counted no less than 26 young people in attendance at the Divine Service. In fact, it was mostly oldsters and youngsters with a smattering of in between.

 

Not exactly the week I had in mind…

… Our office was closed this week (and Jeff and Craig both headed to Florida). I figured it would be a good week to get a colonoscopy done (which I put off for some seven years). Only during procedure I apparently aspirated some stomach acid. So after getting home and developing fever, back to ER. After chest X-ray and blood tests, I was put on some antibiotics. The doc had removed a couple benign polyps, so had bleeding and that led to things not being “regular” through till Monday. Had to do a video promo with Pete on Friday for Revelation (see below). Saturday was Hamel Yard-sales and so Cindi had transformed our garage, and then Saturday evening and Sunday I had the services at St. Paul’s, though thankfully Vicar preached. Our out-of-town guests (the Herls, also see below) arrived just as Saturday Church was letting out, so we went back to the house. I’m so thankful (and it was an answer to prayer) that I made it through services without, well, “having an incident.” The David Weedon family joined the Herls and Cindi and me for a brunch after Church. Monday had to take car in for service (my muffler was broken; it sounded like a hot rod). Cindi was watching grandkids that day, so we picked them up after dropping car off, and when they called that car was ready, we packed them up and headed back down to O’Fallon (30+ minutes away). I get on the highway to come home and car is shaking like crazy. Le sigh. And so arrange to bring it back to them the following morning, after a follow-up doctor’s appointment. By Tuesday I am feeling myself again (thank you, Lord!), but the car unfortunately needs two new tires and somehow that was overlooked the day before. Home to cut grass at our house; then Cindi cut at her dad’s, and we loaded up the car so she could take the remains of yard-sale to Salvation Army store in Litchfield. When she got back, I proposed we just go out for dinner and then on a whim we took in the latest (and I assume, last) Downton movie. Today we actually got to sleep in a bit and do nothing at all but what we chose to do. WHEW. So, out of the eight days of “vacation,” at least the last of them kind of felt that way! I have just about decided that “staycations” are a myth. 

Carnivore Heaven…

… Our local grocery, DK’s, had a butcher’s special on ribeyes only $9.99 per lb. We snagged some and had the butcher slice them thick for us. I am looking forward to the next few days!

And off we launch…

…into Revelation.

An all too brief visit…

…with Dr. Dr. Joseph Herl (he was just awarded an honorary doctorate from Concordia St. Louis!), Jenny and Mary. They spent the night and joined us for Bible Class, Church, and brunch today. Joseph and I went to Concordia Bronxville together many, many moons ago. 

Happy sixth birthday, Henry David Weedon!

From this morning’s walk…

Had a wonderful visit…

…with my friend, Pr. Jim Krauser, and we capped it off last evening with dinner at David and Meaghan’s place: 

Catechesis: Person of Christ

The apostle Peter testifies in clear words that we also, in whom Christ dwells only by grace, on account of that great mystery [of the communion of the two natures], are "partakers of the divine nature" in Christ.—FC SD VIII:34

Luther

The marks, nails, crown of thorns, and scourgings I must bear, and so must all Christians, and not just painted on the wall, but stamped in our flesh and blood.—Sermon, 1535

Patristic Quote of the Day

CANON 5. If anyone says that not only the increase of faith but also its beginning and the very desire for faith, by which we believe in Him who justifies the ungodly and comes to the regeneration of holy baptism -- if anyone says that this belongs to us by nature and not by a gift of grace, that is, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit amending our will and turning it from unbelief to faith and from godlessness to godliness, it is proof that he is opposed to the teaching of the Apostles, for blessed Paul says, "And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). And again, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). For those who state that the faith by which we believe in God is natural make all who are separated from the Church of Christ by definition in some measure believers.—Council of Orange, 529, presided over by St. Caesarius

Good time with old friends...

...Michael, Jim and I went to Concordia, Bronxville together; and additionally Michael lived with Cindi and me for a while when we were at seminary (ironically, he slept on our couch again last night!). 

Patristic Quote of the Day

CANON 4. If anyone maintains that God awaits our will to be cleansed from sin, but does not confess that even our will to be cleansed comes to us through the infusion and working of the Holy Spirit, he resists the Holy Spirit himself who says through Solomon, "The will is prepared by the Lord" (Prov. 8:35, LXX), and the salutary word of the Apostle, "For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).—Council of Orange, 529, presided over by St. Caesarius of Arles

Luther

By this we should learn that God does not want people to be sad and that He hates sad thoughts and sayings, and doctrines which oppress us. He makes our hearts joyful. For He did not send His son to make us sad, but to make us glad. That is why the prophets and apostles and the Lord Christ Himself admonishes us and even commands us at all times to be joyful and of good cheer.—Commentary on the Prophet Jonah

Catechesis: The Person of Christ

On account of this personal union and communion of the natures, Mary, the most bleed Virgin, did not bear a mere man. But, as the angel Gabriel testifies, she bore a man who is truly the Son of the most high God. He showed His divine majesty even in His mother's womb, because He was born of a virgin, without violating her virginity. Therefore, she is truly the mother of God and yet has remained a virgin.—FC SD VIII:24

Yesterday...

...was my friend's 62nd birthday. Jim and I have known each other since Concordia, Bronxville (may she rest in peace!) days, and it is always a joy to catch up with him. He's a pastor in the ELCA and David's godfather. We travelled up to Springfield to check out the Lincoln home and tomb yesterday, and then came back to Edwardsville and had an early dinner.

Our niece, Grace, was married yesterday...

 ...to John. Cindi made the wedding; I'm still at home. She sent along a few pics: