Outer Rim Territories

The kids got new lightsabers for Christmas, spring-loaded, light-up, and sound-emanating. Here is the first battle!
YouTube - Light Saber Battle

Excerpt from: Weedon’s Blog: Are Lutherans Protestants?
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Today is the yearly commemoration of JKW Löhe. I am pleased he is commemorated despite the attempts to excise him from Synodical honor. In memory I hoisted the gift of my vicarage congregation, a Löhe mission, on my office wall.

The following terrific commemoration is courtesy Aardvark Alley: + J. K. Wilhelm Loehe +.

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We’re traveling. Lots. We left yesterday, December 22, for my parents in Lafayette. My niece, Amelia, is being baptized Christmas Day. The 27th we have Christmas in Lake Village with Anne’s family. We drive back to the Fort for the rescheduled Christmas pageant on the 28th. The afternoon of the 28th we’re in Columbus, IN for the Haak Christmas. The 29th we’re in Kokomo, Indiana. We have a couple day respite before Christmas with the Gillespie’s in Wabash on the 1st. I will be thankful to have a week after that to catch up on classes. Fun times!

Derinkuyu, the mysterious underground city of Turkey | Corner Mystery

In 1963, an inhabitant of Derinkuyu (in the region of Cappadocia, central Anatolia, Turkey), knocking down a wall of his house cave, discovered amazed that behind it was a mysterious room that he had never seen, and this led him room to another and another and another to it … By chance he had discovered the underground city of Derinkuyu, whose first level could be excavated by the Hittites around 1400 BC.

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How necessary or even appropriate is it to drop names in sermons? If you’re quoting verbatim, cite the author in the sermon. But sermons are not lectures. They are rightly God’s Word. We preach in the name of His son, Jesus. He gives preachers to His church that the people might hear His voice. That’s the only name the preacher need drop for authority. “In the Name of Jesus. Amen.”

Hat tip to Pr. Petersen for linking Russell D. Moore’s blog. I enjoy his writing in Cornerstone and should have figured he had a blog. I found Peter Leithart’s blog too which is tremendous. I will undoubtedly be linking to it as well.

I hate quoting a post verbatim. But so much is said in this short post and so well that I have nothing to contribute further. It is a spectacular exposition of properly distinguished Law and Gospel in the life of Christian parents. Enjoy.

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Ethan and his homeschool choir at the Seminary assisted in chapel last thursday (12/4/08). Their rendition of this terrific Advent hymn was a pleasant contrast to our typical organ, brass, or hearty male voice.

Sorry for the quality. Its the best the chapel sound system offers.
Arise, O Christian People

Scholars throughout the world study the Bible. They walk the halls of divinity schools, college campuses, and seminaries. Some scholars profess the Christian faith while others do not. Once a year, they come together to present, discuss, and defend their work. Five faculty and three students attended the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) over fall break in Boston, Massachusetts.

SBL formed in 1880 to promote the study of Biblical literature, exchange of perspectives, and support the growth and development of students, teachers, and scholars. This fraternal organization refers to itself as the “guild” or “academy.” While membership simply is paying the yearly dues, recognition within its scholarly circle comes through association and formal presentation of papers.

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Rev. Torkelson is the pastoral delegate from the South Wisconsin District to the Synodical restructuring convocation. He is highly critical of what was presented, namely the top-down impetus for the project, rather than desire or demand from the member congregations. You should read the whole post here: Preachrblog: Rev. Torkelson on Restructuring

Here is a brief quotation which should motivate the Missourian readers to speak about this continuing process with their pastor(s): (more…)