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A Bundle of Myrrh

"My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh." Song of Solomon 1:13

Archive for the ‘Being Lutheran’ Category

My Reformation Story – Part I

Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

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Since it’s October and all, I thought this a good time to sit down and write a bit on being Lutheran. Well, not on being Lutheran but on how I became one and why. I just want to tell my story, my journey. I feel strange doing this, but I am writing it down for my own memory and for my children who might be curious someday. It’s hard to write something like this and it’s hard to keep it short! I’ve broken it into 3 parts, just 3 don’t worry.

I write this not to “bash” any other Christian denominations. Also you need to know I don’t believe that Christians in other denominations are not saved. A lot of what we believe is very different but God’s Grace is still manifest despite this. His Word is powerful and life giving. Where His Gospel is preached and believed in Faith there is Salvation.

First some history:

I was raised as a Baptist. But as I learned more about other Baptist churches I realized my church was of a different sort of Baptist. My pastor was a Baptist who dabbled in Calvinism. I think because of that we had a Calvinism with altar calls, Grace mixed with decisions for Jesus. I’ve recently learned that he was early to a party that is just starting to get bigger in the Baptist church.

A wave called “New Calvinism” is beginning. You can learn more about that HERE. As I listened to that interview I realized that it was pretty much my own story out of the Baptist church.

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More on the Pastor’s Family

Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

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Marriage was given to man and woman right from the beginning. And God blessed the man and woman and said be fruitful, multiply. The family is the foundation of civilization. Martin Luther had much to say about this. In our marriages and families is where Satan loves to attack all of us. We see these institutions belittled, hated, mocked and “redefined” all around us.

So this is another reason I’ve been so glad to bring all of you more on the pastor’s wives and families. We should praise the institutions of marriage and family whenever we get the chance. Yes they bring crosses, all of God’s gifts bring crosses, but these have become holy crosses for the Christian to bear.

Marriage and family are great blessings from God. Luther pointed the church back to that truth especially by example when he himself finally took a wife!

I asked my sweet friend Jenny to share her perspective on her life as a pastor’s wife. Here is what she shared.

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Listening To Luther

Monday, October 27th, 2014

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Joy Under The Cross

I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. Acts 9:16

“If you would be a joint heir with your Lord Jesus Christ, but will not suffer with him and be his brother and be made like him, he will certainly not accept you as his brother and joint heir at the last day. But he will ask you where your crown of thorns, your cross, your nails and scourging are, and whether you too have been an abomination to the world, as he and all his members have been from the beginning of the world. If you cannot give proof of this, he will not be able to accept you as his brother. In a word we must suffer with him, and must all be made like the Son of God, or else we cannot be exalted to his glory.

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.

Here St. Paul admonishes every Christian to bear the marks of Christ our Lord. And he comforts them that they should not be afraid even if all human suffering should be laid on them, as now for some years has been the lot of our brothers and sisters. But it will become even worse when the hour of our foe and the might of the darkness comes. But let it be. We must suffer or we shall not come to glory.” Martin Luther

Our Reformation Sunday

Monday, October 27th, 2014

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Yesterday we Lutherans observed the Reformation (“Reformation Day” – Oct. 31). We added a book to our library I thumbed through it and am looking forward to sittting down with the babies with this one. Look like good teaching tool! Oh and Lily was so excited about her First Catechism!

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