The Lutheran Review

Synod Pres. to Preach at Valpo

Valparaiso University is celebrating its 150th anniversary.  LC-MS President Rev. Gerald Kieschnick will be preaching at a Sunday service. Turns out this is the first time in 20 years the Synod President has done this. 

Review Here: Post Tribune

Bev's Recipes: Hamburger Stroganoff

       Hamburger Stroganoff
            2 # hamburger (brown and salt/pepper to taste)
            1 pkg. dry onion soup
            2 cans cream of chicken soup
            1 c. sour cream
            4 c. dry  egg noodles  (cook according to directions)

            Brown hamburger.  Add dry onion soup first to flavor
            hamburger.  Gently add soups and sour cream and then
            add noodles.  Bake 1 hour.

            NOTE:  Often I bring a large hotdish for fellowship after
            funerals at our Church.  One time our Pastor, not knowing
            who had cooked the hotdish , commented on how good
            it was.   I suddenly was inspired  to make this recipe more
            often.

Golden Tongue

By. Rev. Ronald Jansen

How did it happen that a preacher and church leader, so well spoken that he is called Golden Tongue and was often applauded after his sermons, ended up being sent into exile and dying during a forced march? How did such a one who was a prolific writer that he penned 90 homilies on Matthew, 88 on John, 55 on Acts, 67 on Genesis, 59 on the Psalms and all of Paul’s epistles end up forced to march until he dropped. How did this happen to him whose last words that came off his tongue were truly golden, “Glory to God for all things?”

This all happened to John Chrysostom (Golden Tongue) who was born in Antioch in 347 and died in exile on September 14, 407. After receiving a classical education he began studies of the scriptures and entered the ascetic life, even living in a cave for two years. He later became a Lector (reader) in the church, then a Deacon where he assisted with the liturgy and then a priest in 386.

On February 26, 398 he was installed as Bishop of Constantinople, the capital of the Roman empire, much to the disappointment of numerous other interested candidates. He immediately began a reform, “Sweeping the stairs from the top down.” He cut expenses, eliminated frequent banquets, forbad clergy to keep housekeepers who had taken a vow of virginity, told monks to stay in their monasteries instead of wandering aimlessly. He assailed the wealthy women for their extravagant finery and men who conducted business during the service. With the money he saved from his household budget in just one year he built a large hospital.

However, he was ill suited to church and empire politics. You can attempt to untangle the web of political intrigue by going online to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

On the presence of Christ in the sacrament he wrote,

The Magi worshipped this body even when it lay in a manger. Those heathen foreigners left home and country and went on a long journey, and came and worshipped him…We are citizens of heaven; let us imitate those foreigners…For you behold him not in a manger; but on an altar; not with a woman holding him, but with a priest standing before him: with the Spirit descending with great bounty upon the oblation.

(For me personally, John Chrysostom along with the prophet Jeremiah have had the greatest influence on me when I undertake to step into the pulpit and boldly preach God’s Word.)

Kneeling at the Words of Christ Explained and My ITBS

By Sarah D.

I suppose the title says it all when it comes to this post's topic.  I refer you to Weedon's Blog for the explanation. 

As a little side note of personal information.  Ever since becoming a serious runner in 2002, I was so blessed to discover that I am not a natural runner.  I quickly developed Iliotibial Band Syndrome on my right side.  Today, I can run about 3 miles before it starts to act up and I have to promptly stop running.  Squatting, too many stairs, and kneeling make my right knee hurt.  Somedays, the pain is so severe, I have to spend at least 10 minutes stretching to work out the pain. 

EVERY TIME I kneel at the communion rail I get the a little tinge of pain in my knee.  I was sitting duck for ITBS.  I have a minor leg discrepancy, which only no one can see. :)  I overpronate.  And, I increased my mileage in running.  My head was ready to run 13 miles, but not my body.  I trained, but come race day...my knee spoke loudly.  I was still a newbie.  Since that painful race, I have learned a lot about proper training.  Running is not like any sport or workout I have tried.  I have always been fit, but running is a different kind of "fit". 

St. Titus

By Rev. Ronald Jansen

Titus, like Timothy (see Jan. 24) was a close companion and associate of Paul. Paul also made Titus a test case in regard to circumcising Gentile Christians. Whereas, Paul circumcised Timothy to accommodate the Jewish Christians. In the case of Titus he did not do so. Because some “false brothers” were spying on Paul to see if he would follow all the rules of Judaism, even though they believed in Jesus Christ, Paul refused to allow them to take away the freedom Christ had given them. He “did not yield in submission even for a moment.” He cited his decision to not circumcise Titus as a precedent for not falling back under the slavery of the law. (Galatians 2:1-10)

On his third missionary journey Paul learned of problems in Corinth. He sent Titus ahead to check out the reports. Titus eventually brought Paul a report that the Corinthians were repentant and longed to see Paul. Paul sent Titus back to Corinth to continue his pastoral work and to encourage the congregation to participate generously in the collection that Paul was coming to receive for the relief of the Christians in Jerusalem and Judea.

Later, in 2 Tim. 4:10 we learn that Titus is in Dalmatia, which is in present day Croatia on the east side of the Adriatic Sea across from Italy.

The letter Paul wrote to Titus contains qualifications for church leaders. Christian life is based on the grace of God shown in Jesus Christ who is our Savior and has redeemed us.

According to tradition he died on the island of Crete in 96 AD having served the church there as bishop.

The Prayer of the Day for Titus petitions God on behalf of all those who preach the Word.

Almighty God, You called Titus to the work of pastor and teacher. Make all shepherds of Your flock diligent in preaching Your holy Word so that the whole world may know the immeasurable riches of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Quote me Some Emerson

By Sarah D.

I remember reading Thoreau's Walden Pond in my late teens and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing.  In high school religion courses or Confirmation classes, I don't' recall learning a lot about transcendentalism.  In high school English, transcendentalism was just another period of time to sit through until the bell rang. 

In college, I was so enthralled with American and British literature I almost majored in the stuff, because that would have been a really useful degree.  During my first Brit Lit class my freshman year, my professor asked if I would be willing to join some type of Honor Society (I can't remember the name) and I would have to write an extra essay or two, but it would be a good academic achievement.  Needless to say, I was a big American and Brit Lit geek. 

I don't remember being transcended to some great spiritualness when reading certain works by transcendental writers, I just enjoyed them for the literature they were.

Fast forward to my Concordia Seminary years.  I was a young mind soaking in all I was taught.  Transcendentalism, I came to the conclusion, was "bad" because of all the talk about the individual spirit over established religion.  My brother, during my first year, gave me a wall plaque for Christmas with the quote etched on to it reading, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."  I actually asked my pastor at the time what to think of such a quote, because it was, Emerson, a name not to be said out loud in the hallow halls of the seminary, in case someone thought you were actually a gnostic. 

My pastor so wisely said the sentiment was nice.  Phew, I was not a gnostic, if I enjoyed the quote.

And, as can happen once a person leaves the intensity of the Seminary experience, I chilled out a bit.

Because, sometimes a quote is just a quote. 

-----

I corrected the typos. 

Mercy Journey Blog

If you have not checked out the Mercy Journey blog kept by Rev. Matt Harrison, you will not be disappointed by clicking over there now. 

Rev. Harrison is the Executive Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care.  Mercy Journey features lots of pictures showing mercy in action throughout the United States and world.  The blog is updated frequently; there are some nice pictures from this past week's Life March in Washington D.C. 

Conversion of St. Paul

By Rev. Ronald Jansen

To say that the risen Christ appeared to a man named Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus and called him to proclaim the gospel of Christ is an accurate statement. However, it fails to include the dramatic events that accompanied Saul’s turn around.

We first meet Saul standing by at the stoning of Stephen. (Acts 5 & 7). Acts 8:1, “And Saul approved of his execution.” Chapter 9 begins, “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples…” Stephen’s passionate witness to Christ had only inflamed Saul’s sense of urgency that this sect needed to be snuffed out.

With letters from the priest in hand he was on his way to Damascus to search out anyone who might be a follower of the Way when Jesus met him with a blinding light that knocked him to the ground. Now blinded by Jesus, Jesus opened his eyes of faith. At Jesus direction he sought out a follower of the Way named Ananias to whom the Lord had also spoken directing him to seek Saul. At first Ananias was reluctant, wouldn’t you be? But when he found Saul on Straight street, he blessed him with the Holy Spirit. Saul regained his sight. Now he could see with his physical eyes and with the eyes of faith. With his new and renewed eyesight, he was baptized.

Our conversion may not have been accompanied by such dramatic events. However, the same elements, as those in Saul’s case, were present. Jesus confronted a sinner who was in open rebellion against him. The eyes of our faith were still blind. Yet, in our baptism the sinful person was drowned in baptism and also filled with the Holy Spirit.

Immediately following his baptism Saul began to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. “Jesus is the Christ,” was his message. How long ago were we baptized? What message do we proclaim?

Almighty God, grant us ever to rejoice in the saving light of Your Gospel and, following the example of the apostle Paul, to spread it to the end of the earth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

St. Timothy

January 24^th is set aside for Timothy. His seminary training under Paul’s mentoring was painful, thorough, exciting, and dramatic.

It was painful because the before leaving Lystra with Paul and Silas, Paul circumcised Timothy. On the other hand, the pain probably didn’t last as long as today’s seminary student suffers learning Hebrew in 9 weeks during summer school.

His seminary training was thorough because their journey began in Lystra, in what is now south central Turkey, and ended in Greece. If you read Acts 16-18, you find that the action moves along quickly. However, if you read with a map of Paul’s second missionary journey in hand, you will find that they traveled at least 850 miles on foot, for the most part. That’s like walking from St. Louis to Baltimore or Denver.

It must have been exciting for young Timothy to travel with Paul and Silas as they sought to discover just where the Holy Spirit would allow them to go. Finally, they end up at the Aegean Sea where Paul has a vision of a man calling them to Macedonia. Can you imagine the discussion that went into the decision to leave Asia and go over into Europe? Then to travel down the east coast of Greece and end up in Athens and then Corinth?

Finally, training was dramatic because he saw churches strengthened through Paul and Silas preaching and teaching. He saw churches established at .places like Philippi and Thessalonica He also witnessed Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown into jail, where the jailer underwent an overnight conversion.

Timothy absorbed what Paul had to teach. Eventually, Paul sent him back to Thessalonica to pastor that beleaguered congregation. Truly Timothy learned how to “fight the good fight” and to “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” (I Timothy 6:11-16)

Lord Jesus Christ, You have always given to Your Church on earth faithful shepherds such as Timothy to guide and feed Your Flock. Make all pastors diligent to preach Your holy Word and administer Your means of grace, and grant Your people wisdom to follow in the way that leads to life eternal; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Mission Aborted

By Rev. Ronald Jansen

First of all, thanks to all the people who said “Hello.” The internet is an exciting way to bring people into communication with one another.

Daughter Sarah won’t have to hold down the fort entirely by herself this weekend. I had just crossed the Illinois/Wisconsin border and was driving north of Beloit when my wife called. She said my bankcard had been compromised, along with a 100,000+ other cards. They were cancelling the card at midnight and I needed to turn around and come home. I always obey my wife. I’m sure Dave Ylvisaker told me that during our wedding in DeSoto in a time long past. Anyway, I didn’t have much cash on me.

They will be sending a new card. Those are the problems of living in an increasingly cashless society. Motels don’t want cash. Gas stations make you pay up front. Checks are nearly a thing of the past.

I got back home a 1:00pm today after driving 650 miles, 600 of which were in Illinois. Pretty exciting! Well at least I wasn’t the driver of the cement truck that overturned on

I-255 this afternoon and blocked all three lanes.